Zimbabwe leader Mugabe is 'fine' but confined to his home as military takes control of country

Military says takes power to target 'criminals'Calls for Mugabe to step down as country's leaderPres Mugabe and family safe, says militaryFinance minister detained, says govtArmy views sacking of vice president as part of a purgeZimbabwe struggling with cash crunch and import payments

A street scene along Robert Mugabe road in Harare, Tuesday, November, 14, 2017. The Associated Press saw three armored personnel carriers with several soldiers in a convoy on a road heading toward an army barracks just outside the capital, Harare. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

MacDonald Dzirutwe

Zimbabwe's military seized power on Wednesday saying it was holding President Robert Mugabe and his family safe while targeting "criminals" in the entourage of the man who has ruled the nation since independence 37 years ago.

Soldiers seized the state broadcaster and a general appeared on television to announce the takeover. Armoured vehicles blocked roads to the main government offices, parliament and the courts in central Harare, while taxis ferried commuters to work nearby. The atmosphere in the capital remained calm.