Ousted Zimbabwean vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa is in contact with President Robert Mugabe and will return to the country soon, the army chief said in a televised statement Monday.

"The security services are encouraged by new developments which include contact between the president and the former vice president comrade Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa who is expected in the country shortly. Thereafter the nation will be advised of the outcome of talks between the two," said army chief general Constantino Chiwenga.

Last Friday, a senior aide who declined to be named said Mnangagwa had returned to Zimbabwe the day before, after spending nearly a week abroad.