By SAPeople – Nov 17, 2017

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has issued a statement claiming progress has been made (in their non-coup), and that Comrade Mugabe and his family are “safe and sound and their security is guaranteed. We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice”.

The ZDF said in the statement, which was posted on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s website, that it is engaged in discussions with Mugabe and that “as soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy”.

According to Zimbabwe media Mugabe is likely to spend his exile in South Africa… which may not be as peaceful as he hopes. Quartz Africa says: “While he may avoid jail, public humiliation, or worse in South Africa, he would be fleeing to a country maintained, in many respects, by the people he drove out. They are South Africa’s nannies, cleaners, and Uber drivers… His wife, Grace Mugabe, is wanted in South Africa on charges of assault… What charges might Robert Mugabe face? Perhaps most ironically, he would arrive the same way thousands of Zimbabweans have before him: as a political asylum seeker, trying to escape the consequences of his 37-year-old rule….”

Mugabe’s former Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who fled to South Africa after being fired by Mugabe last week, has reportedly returned to Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa had been fired after his supporters allegedly booed Mugabe’s wife Grace at a rally. Both were vying for the Presidential seat. Mnangagwa had vowed to return to lead the country.

The ZDF Statement in Full:

Fellow Zimbabweans. Following the address we made on 13 November 2017, which we believe our main broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and the Herald were directed not to publicise, the situation in our country has moved to another level.

Firstly we wish to assure our nation, His Excellency, the president of the republic of Zimbabwe and commander in chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, comrade R G Mugabe and his family, are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.

We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.

As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.

To the civil servants, as you are aware there is a plan by the same individuals to influence the current purging which is taking place in the political sphere. To the civil service, we are against that act of injustice and we intend to protect every one of you against that.

To the judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure that as an independent arm of the state you are able to exercise your independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has been the case with this group of individuals.

To our members of parliament, your legislative role is of paramount importance, of peace and stability in this country, and it is our desire that a dispensation is created that allows you to serve your respective political constituencies according to democratic tenants.

To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. However we encourage those who are employed and those with essential business in the city to continue their normal activities as usual. Our wish is that you will enjoy your rights and freedoms and that we return our country to a dispensation that allows for investment, development and prosperity that we all fought for and for which many of our citizens paid the supreme sacrifice.

To political parties, we urge you to discourage your members from engaging in violent behaviour. To the youth, we call upon you to realise that the future of this country is yours. Do not be enticed with the dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain committed to the efforts and values of this great nation.

To all churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe we call upon your congregations to pray for our country and preach the gospel of love, peace and unity and development. To both our people and the world beyond our borders, 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.

We call upon all the war veterans to play a positive role in ensuring peace, stability and unity in the country. To members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, all leave is cancelled and you are all to return to your barracks with immediate effect.

To the other security forces, we urge you to cooperate for the good of our country. Let it be clear we intend to address the human security threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.

And to the media, we urge you to report fairly and responsibly.

We thank you.

Pres Mugabe meets General Chiwenga, SA envoys: https://t.co/0ALtuxq9uy pic.twitter.com/XN1a1p6es3

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) November 16, 2017

BREAKING NEWS: We are on course: ZDF https://t.co/7ywWpKAtIA pic.twitter.com/KmexEbhNPc

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) November 17, 2017

Mugabe Likely to Spend Exile in SA. Zimbabwe Defence Force Issues Statement