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Military takes over Zimbabwe, says Mugabe ‘safe’ (Third Lead)
Harare, Nov 15 (IANS) Political turmoil escalated in Zimbabwe as the military took control of the African country and seized its leader President Robert Mugabe early on Wednesday but claimed it was “not a military takeover”.
Despite the statement, the events bore all the hallmarks of a coup, with military vehicles stationed around the capital Harare, the Army seizing the state broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp (ZBC) and a uniformed general issuing a statement.
After taking over ZBC, two uniformed officers said in a terse pre-dawn announcement that “the situation in our country has moved to another level”.
While denying that the military had seized power, they said Mugabe and his family “are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed”, the BBC reported.
“We are only targeting criminals around him (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice,” said the main speaker, identified as Major General S.B. Moyo, the Army’s Chief of Staff.
General Moyo warned that “any provocation will be met with an appropriate response”. There was no further clarification of the whereabouts or status of Mugabe, 93, who is the only leader Zimbabwe has known since independence in 1980, CNN reported.
South African President Jacob Zuma said he had spoken to Mugabe who had indicated that he “was confined to his home but said that he was fine”.
The early morning broadcast interruption came less than 48 hours after Army commander Constantino Chiwenga warned in a press conference that “when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in”.
In response, Mugabe’s ruling party Zanu-PF accused Chiwenga of “treasonable conduct”.
Witnesses reported tanks and soldiers moving around the city overnight along with sounds of gunfire and explosions. By morning, soldiers in armoured vehicles controlled major intersections near government buildings. But otherwise the streets appeared to be calm.
Local media reported that several members of the Zanu-PF party had been detained by the military, including cabinet ministers.
The party’s Twitter account, which had been largely silent for more than a month, exploded in a string of tweets maintaining that there was no coup but just the Army rescuing the nation from having its Constitution undermined.
“Zimbabwe is open for business. There was no coup, but a bloodless peaceful transition,” said one tweet.
Zimbabwe’s political crisis reached a boiling point last week with the dismissal of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, clearing the way for Mugabe’s wife Grace to succeed him.
Mugabe told supporters he had dismissed Mnangagwa for disloyalty and disrespect as well as using witchcraft to take power.
The move exacerbated divisions in the ruling party, where the youth faction is firmly on Grace’s side, while the older veterans of the struggle against white rule look to Mnangagwa.
Grace later warned that supporters of Mnangagwa were planning a coup. Uncertainty over the political situation grew overnight. Foreign embassies warned their citizens to stay indoors.
–IANS
soni/mr
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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