South Africa’s Zuma fears ‘unconstitutional changes of government’ in Zimbabwe

South Africa on Wednesday urged neighbouring Zimbabwe to resist any “unconstitutional changes” of government as President Robert Mugabe’s grip on power appeared threatened by the military.

President Jacob Zuma “called for calm and restraint and has expressed hope that developments in Zimbabwe would not lead to unconstitutional changes of government,” said a statement released in Pretoria.

Zuma also called for the Zimbabwean government and army to resolve their differences amicably and said the Southern African Development Community, on whose behalf Zuma was speaking, was ready to help resolve the impasse in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean army launched a military siege on Wednesday with a takeover of the public broadcaster and state institutions.

They announced that Mugabe and his family are safe, and their targets are the “criminals” around the president.

Some arrests have been reported including that of the finance minister and a leader of the ruling party’s youth wing.