Officials, expats safe in Zimbabwe: Indian Embassy

The Indian Embassy in Zimbabwe has informed that the situation is calm in Harare after Zimbabwean soldiers along with the defense forces reportedly seized control of the state broadcasting outlet in the wee hours of Wednesday.

The Indian Embassy took to Twitter on Wednesday to inform that no Indian was harmed in Zimbabwe.

"Situation in Harare is calm. Embassy staff, Indian Community, both PIO & Expat are safe. No reason for concern and worry," the Indian Embassy in Zimbabwe tweeted.

The Zimbabwean Army, in a statement, reassured that it was not a military coup or takeover.

The move was initially speculated as a military coup against President Robert Mugabe.

Two workers for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and human rights worker claimed that the soldiers occupied the state broadcasters' headquarters here.

Earlier in November, Mugabe removed Emmerson Mnangagwa from the post of vice-president.

Mnangagwa had been in the government for decades and was a soldier during the nation's war for independence in the 1970's.

He was also considered as the successor of the resident and is popular with the military.

Meanwhile, the army said although President Mugabe was safe and sound, the military was targetting "criminals around him" who have sent the nation spinning into economic despair.

"As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy," the Washington Post quoted an army spokesman, as saying.