Politics: Tanks in the streets and long lines to withdraw money — here's what Zimbabwe looks like under military control

With military checkpoints and long lines at ATMs, the situation in Zimbabwe is making life in an already struggling nation even more difficult and uncertain.

Zimbabwe is a country that is no stranger to hard times.

Hyperinflation, famine, and crackdowns by the government on dissent have been regular parts of Zimbabwean life since Robert Mugabe took control of the country in 1980.

With the sudden firing of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa for disloyalty — and his supposedly planning to oust Mugabe with witchcraft — last week, Mugabe seemed to be getting ready to hand over control of the country to his wife, Grace Mugabe.

The Zimbabwean Army, however, seems to have made it clear that they did not support the firing, and over the last two days they have moved swiftly and taken over the country, saying that Mugabe and his wife "are safe and sound."

Here are some images of what life currently looks like under military rule:

On November 14, tanks and Army soldiers were seen on the roads in the countryside on the way to Harare, Zimbabwe's capital. Soldiers stood beside military vehicles just outside the capital city

A military spokesperson addressed the country on Wednesday, November 15, over the state-run Zimbabwean Broadcasting Corporation channel. Major General S.B. Moyo denied the military action was a coup and said the safety of Mugabe and his family was "guaranteed."

By morning, tanks and armored personnel carriers blocked traffic and set up checkpoints all over Harare.

Tanks and soldiers were the backdrop to the city as people walked to work.

The streets around Robert Mugabe's offices were completely empty, except for soldiers and armored vehicles.

In addition to government offices, the army seized control of radio and television stations. An armored military vehicle was parked outside the state-run Zimbabwean Broadcasting Corporation building in Harare.

The coup caused the citizens of Harare to make a rush for the banks to withdraw money, in case the situation gets worse

The military insisted that the operation was not a coup, but that they were "only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country." The press seemed to miss the story.

The fired Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in addition to having the support of the army, does have supporters among the general public. The graffiti below is in support of Mnangagwa.

However, Mugabe has many supporters of his own. This could explain why the military is directly saying they are not taking power from him, but that they are getting rid of criminals in the government.

The situation remains tense for the civilians of Harare and Zimbabwe as a whole. There is hope that the new government will do something about the horrible situation the country has been in for years.

With military checkpoints and long lines at ATMs, the situation in Zimbabwe is making life in an already struggling nation even more difficult and uncertain. Read Full Story