By Jane Mlambo| The government of Zimbabwe has against issued a statement in response to growing pressure from the international community with regards to alleged human rights abuses in the country.

In a statement by Information ministry permanent secretary, Nick Mangwana said as government, they took note of ‘false allegations of human right abuses and crisis peddled by known political activists and misinformed individuals and global actors.’

Mangwana denied that there is crisis in Zimbabwe saying the government was just enforcing COVID-19 lockdown regulations intended to safeguard and protect the lives of all citizens.

He urged regional and international counterparts not to lose perspective of the fact that Zimbabwe has suffered from destabilization efforts by what he termed external forces with a bone to chew with the country over the 2000 land reform exercise.

“These efforts have in the past taken many forms, from attempted insurgency to the current organised smear campaign, using blatantly false claims. Such smear campaigns are not unique to Zimbabwe and have been employed in other countries over the years,” added Mangwana.

Following increased pressure from Zimbabweans who called on the regional and global community to speak on rights abuses in Zimbabwe, the United Nations, South Africa and other influential bodies across the world have come out in the open urging the Harare administration to respect the rights of its citizens.