Is the end nigh for Mugabe as army deploys in Harare

Barely 24 hours after warning that the army will step in if the ruling Zanu-PF party led by President Robert Mugabe did not stop purges directed at officials linked to the country’s liberation war, columns of army tanks and soldiers have been seen heading towards the capital.

Four tanks were seen heading towards the Zimbabwean capital Harare on Tuesday, witnesses said, a day after the head of the armed forces; Gen Constantino Chiwenga said he was prepared to “step in” to end a purge of supporters of ousted vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Two other tanks parked beside the main road from Harare to Chinhoyi, about 20 km (14 miles) from the city.

It is still unclear what exactly the motive is behind the deployment with no clear statement emanating from either the army of the seat of government.

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