Zimbabwe military said their actions in Harare are not a military coup, but are targeted against criminals who provoked social and economic crisis in the country, BBC reported.

An army general appeared on television to insist that there had not been a military coup and that the president and his family were “safe and sound”.

According to earlier reports, military equipment was seen moving in the direction of Harare. The military seized television center.

In early November 93-year-old president of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe dismissed his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa who was considered the possible successor of the president and was supported by the army.

On Monday army chief Constantine Chiwenga called on the president to stop cleansings in the ruling party.