HARARE 16 Aug (ANA) - Zimbabwe's government has dismissed a letter by Roman Catholic bishops highlighting corruption, poverty and human rights abuses.

 

"There is no crisis, political or otherwise," said Information Secretary Nick Mangwana.

 

He accused the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop's Conference of joining groups seeking "to manufacture crises".

 

The bishops had called for an urgent resolution to the country's economic and political challenges.

 

"The struggle in Zimbabwe, has resulted in a multi-layered crisis of convergence of economic collapse, deepening poverty, food insecurity and human rights abuses," said seven bishops from the Zimbabwe's main cities and towns in a letter released on Friday.

 

"Corruption in the country has reached alarming levels," they added.

 

Zimbabweans have been protesting against alleged government corruption and a deepening economic crisis with inflation running at more than 700%.

 

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has, however, blamed his political opponents of working with foreigners to try to destabilise the country. He called them "bad apples" and warned that he will "flush" them out.

 

His government has recently attracted heavy criticism over a crackdown targeting anti-government protesters which has resulted in several people being assaulted and arrested.(ANA)

FA/ANA/16 August 2020------