WARNING: Constantino Chiwenga urged Mugabe to stop the purging at a conference on Monday
The military has seized control in Zimbabwe and has said President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, is safe.
After seizing state TV, an army spokesman announced it was targeting people close to Mr Mugabe who had caused “social and economic [ads1]suffering”.
Messages attributed to a ruling party Twitter account described the takeover as a “bloodless transition”.
The move came after Mr Mugabe sacked his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in favour of his wife.
A statement read out by a general on air denied it was a coup and said Mr Mugabe was safe, but did not say where.
Heavy gun and artillery fire could be heard in northern parts of the capital Harare early on Wednesday.
There was no immediate word from Mr Mugabe himself.
Mr Mugabe, 93, has dominated the impoverished country’s political scene since independence from the UK.
Source: BBC