By Political Reporter-In an alarming development reminiscent of the November 2017 coup that ousted longtime President Robert Mugabe, Lupane’s Tshongogwe villagers in Matabeleland North were gripped by fear after a sudden and unexplained deployment of a large contingent of soldiers.
The sight of troops and military vehicles patrolling the rural area has sparked widespread speculation, leading to concerns over the possibility of another power struggle within Zimbabwe’s military and political circles.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing soldiers stationed at key locations, including Mabhunu shops, eDibha, and eGuswini, while others patrolled the surrounding bushlands.
“I’m from Tshongogwe but work in Victoria Falls. My family called to inform me that soldiers had been deployed in the area,” said one local resident, still unsure about the purpose of the military presence. “We don’t know what they are looking for.”
Another villager confirmed witnessing soldiers roaming the area, heightening fears that the peaceful community might be caught up in a larger conflict.
“A group of soldiers asked us yesterday if the road they were on led to the main bus route in Mabhunu,” a third villager shared. “We also heard gunshots near eDibheni.”
Several villagers expressed concerns about the soldiers’ heavy armaments. “The soldiers are carrying big guns, and people are scared,” said one resident.
In response to the growing alarm, Zimbabwe National Army Director of Public Relations, Colonel Alphios Makotore, moved to dispel any fears of a political upheaval, clarifying that the troop deployment was part of a planned training exercise.
“Troops from the 1 Infantry Brigade were deployed to Lupane for a field training exercise running from September 19 to 26, 2024,” he explained, adding that local authorities and traditional leaders had been notified in advance.
However, despite this reassurance, the military’s surprise appearance in the rural district has revived memories of the events leading to the 2017 military coup.
During that coup, soldiers and tanks were seen deployed in Harare without notice, as the military moved to topple Mugabe after nearly four decades in power.
In the days leading up to Mugabe’s eventual resignation, military presence across the capital was widespread, with tanks positioned at strategic locations and troops patrolling the streets.
The November 2017 coup was marked by a seamless operation, with the military claiming they were targeting “criminals” around Mugabe.
The takeover led to a swift transition, with then-Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa being installed as president.
While the military insisted it wasn’t a coup, the events were widely regarded as a military intervention to resolve a bitter power struggle within the ruling ZANU-PF party.
As Lupane residents grapple with the sudden appearance of soldiers, many are left wondering if this is simply a training exercise or if there is a larger story behind the scenes, with echoes of Zimbabwe’s past coups lingering in the air.