Armoured vehicles were seen on the streets near the capital Harare on Tuesday as questions mounted over whether Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980, was still holding onto power. "We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the president... and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed. Prolonged gunfire erupted near Mugabe's private residence in the suburb of Borrowdale early Wednesday, a witness told AFP. The shooting came after Mugabe's ZANU-PF party on Tuesday accused army chief General Constantino Chiwenga of "treasonable conduct". The public dispute has presented a major test for Mugabe, who is in increasingly frail health.

Source: Daily Nation November 15, 2017 02:48 UTC