This is the regal mansion where Robert and Grace Mugabe are being held

President Robert Mugabe is under house arrest as tension continues to rise in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean military took control of the country on Wednesday in what it described as a quest to drive out "criminals" close to 93-year-old president Robert Mugabe.

During a live broadcast, Major General S.B. Moyo, the army's Chief of Staff Logistics, said the President and his family were safe and sound at his private mansion known as the Blue Roof.

"We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and commander-in-chief of Zimbabwe defence forces comrade R.G. Mugabe and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed."

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma who spoke to Mugabe confirmed that he had been confined to his home but said that he was fine.

Here are a few facts about the Blue Roof where Mugabe is currently detained.

The mansion was built by a former Yugoslavian company, Energoproject, which has had close links with Mr Mugabe and completed in 2003.

The residence sits on 44 acres of heavily wooded land and the property is made up of three separate title deeds - the first two bought in 1987 by the M & S Syndicate Ltd, set up seven years earlier.

The Architecture of residence is breathtaking and screams of grandeur and lavish taste.

The mansion is more than three times the size of Mugabe's present official residence and his offices at State House.

It is decorated with Chinese-style roof coated with midnight blue glazed tiles from Shanghai.

The ceilings were decorated by Arab craftsmen.

The residence offers more than three acres of accommodation, mostly on three floors, including two-storey reception rooms, an office suite, and up to 25 bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms and spas.

Inside sources in the building industry say landscaping and interior decoration - supervised by Mrs Mugabe, renowned for her expensive tastes was carried out by South Africans.

At present, the cost of protecting the property is borne by Zimbabwe's taxpayers. At least four uniformed police officers patrol the perimeter 24 hours a day.