Why the Millitary Intervened in Zimbabwe's Polity.

After days of tension and rumour, soldiers seized the state broadcaster ZBC late on Tuesday.

A Zimbabwean army officer, Major General Sibusiso Moyo, went on air to say the military was targeting "criminals" around President Mugabe.

"This is not a military takeover of government," he insisted.

Maj Gen Moyo also said Mr Mugabe and his family were "safe and sound and their security is guaranteed". It is not clear who is leading the military action.

Since then, military vehicles have been out on the streets of Harare, while gunfire has been heard from northern suburbs where Mr Mugabe and a number of government officials live.

In a statement, the office of South African President Jacob Zuma, said: "President Zuma spoke to President Robert Mugabe earlier today who indicated that he was confined to his home but said that he was fine."

There has been no direct comment from President Mugabe, nor his wife Grace, whose whereabouts are unclear.

The rivalry between Mrs Mugabe and Mr Mnangagwa has split the governing Zanu-PF.

Following a call for his dismissal from Mrs Mugabe, Mr Mnangagwa was removed from the vice presidency.

But on Monday, army chief Gen Constantino Chiwenga said the army was prepared to act to end purges within Zanu-PF.

Gen Chiwenga is a close ally of Mr Mnangagwa and both are veterans of the 1970s war which ended white minority rule.

A supporter of Mrs Mugabe, Zanu-PF youth wing leader, Kudzai Chipanga, had responded by saying the military should "stay in the barracks".

But he has now apologised to Gen Chiwenga and other top military officials, saying "we are still young and make mistakes", ZBC reports.