Zimbabwe video: Tanks BLOCK Harare roads after Robert Mugabe removed from power

A shocked Zimbabwe resident filmed the tanks controlling traffic to and from a military compound belonging to Robert Mugabe’s presidential guard.

Other witnesses said armoured vehicles were seen moving from the Inkomo barracks north of Harare toward the headquarters of President Mugabe’s presidential guard.

Commentating on the scenes, the filmmaker said: “There’s a tank along Kirkman Road, closing off Kirkman Road.

“This is military police and a tank… There is a tank blocking Kirkman Road, stopping cars from going outside. 

“They are letting the last through cars in. This road leads to the second presidential guard, that are just outside Harare.

“Wow, this is real guys, it is real.”

Unconfirmed reports of explosions and gunshots near President Mugabe’s private residence in Borrowdale were also circulated.

The Zimbabwe army has denied a coup after announcing on state media President Robert Mugabe and his family are safe with forces “targeting criminals around him”.

Army spokesman Major General SB Moyo said: “We wish to make this abundantly clear this is not a military takeover of government. 

“What the Zimbabwe defence forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in our country, which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.”

The takeover comes followings a battle over who will succeed President Mugabe.

The sacking, last week, of Emerson Mnangagwa, the vice president and former spy chief, who has strong support from Zimbabwe’s armed forces opened a road to power for Grace Mugabe.

The Zimbabwe military also detained finance minister Ignatius Chombo, who was a leading member of the so-called G40 faction of the ruling Zanu-PF party, which is led by President Mugabe’s wife, Grace Mugabe.

After the military takeover, Major General Moyo urged calm across the country, insisting “as soon as the armed forces are done the situation will come to normalcy”.

He added: “We urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. However, we encourage those who are employed and those who are employed and those with essential business in the city to continue their normal actives as usual.”

The British embassy advised Britons to remain at home because of the “uncertain political situation”.

The US embassy also issued a warning to Americans in Zimbabwe, they urged people to “take shelter in place until further notice”.