The controlling Zimbabwean military on Friday said it would allow a mass march in the country's capital of Harare by Zimbabweans calling for leadership that will "relieve the suffering endured" by the nation under President Robert Mugabe.
The rally, which has been organised by the country's influential War Veterans association but endorsed by opposition parties and civil society groups, is intended to convince Mugabe he has lost public support and lend an air of legitimacy to the defacto military coup that saw him placed under house arrest, The Telegraph reported.
The march comes as further details emerged of plans by Zanu-PF, the party Mugabe has led for four decades, to impeach him if he refuses to resign voluntarily.
"The game is up," said Christopher Mutsvangwa, the head of the War Veteran's association, at a press conference in Harare. "It's done, it's finished... The generals have done a fantastic job."
Zanu PF regional branches are believed to be preparing to remove Mugabe as first secretary and president of the party, which would remove him as president of the country, as early as Sunday. Proceedings to impeach him in parliament would then follow from Tuesday.
In a statement on Friday, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) informed the nation that in respect of freedom of expression and movement it would fully support the march planned for Saturday morning.
"The ZDF is therefore advising the nation that for as long as the planned march remains orderly, peaceful and in tandem with the fundamental bill of rights and within the confines of the country’s constitution and without hate speech and incitement to cause violence, it fully supports the march," the ZDF said.
"The ZDF is also encouraging the march participants to be disciplined and to return to their respective provinces with dignity after the march processions and moreover people have been warned against looting.
"Consistent with the ongoing operation, the ZDF wishes to advise the nation that steady progress is being made and that there has been no variation at all from their original objectives."
The military said that it was approached by several private volunteer organisations seeking to "freely move and express their desires", including the solidarity march planned on Saturday in the Highfield of Harare.
In a banner circulated on social media messenger application WhatsApp, Zimbabweans are called to "arise Zimbabwe arise" for the march that will start at 10am in Freedom Square in the capital.
"CALLING ON ALL ZIMBABWEANS. Our army has cleared the way for us. Now let us go and make our wishes known. WE WANT A NEW ZIMBABWE AND WE WANT IT NOW," the banner read.
"We demand a new leadership that will relieve us of the suffering we have endured for too long. #AriseZimbabwe."
Zimbabweans are expected to stream to Harare on Saturday from all corners of the country to march to demand the end of Mugabe's 37-year rule.
Meanwhile, the ZDF, in its statement requested citizens to be patient and said their operation towards peace remained "solid".
"Contrary to certain media reports which the ZDF believes are being generated by some of the culprits who have been apprehended, the nation is being advised that the operation remains solid and at the same time Zimbabweans are being requested to be patient...
"The ZDF has commended the business community who have responded overwhelmingly to the call to normalise socio-economic effects to the population of Zimbabwe by adopting realistic prices," the statement read.
"The ZDF has therefore expressed its solidarity and a drive towards a peaceful, united investor friendly and prosperous Zimbabwe. The ZDF also called for concerted efforts from all Zimbabweans to make this happen."
Mugabe has refused to step down, exploiting the reluctance of the coup organisers to violate the Zimbabwean constitution, which they fear would torpedo any claim to legitimacy and expose them to punishing sanctions from the Southern African Development Community.