Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa says Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa should start respecting the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

In an interview with SABC, Muleya said no one deserves to be punished for expressing their concerns against what they see is wrong in the country.

Muleya said the crackdown on human rights defenders and government critics has been very well documented by amnesty international however, there has been an escalation the crackdown on dissent by the authorities.

“We have witnessed a mounting crackdown on human rights defenders and activists. Lawyers, journalists and even medical doctors have not been spared. Zimbabwe’s authorities have declared anyone who exercises their right to freedom expression and association an enemy of the state. This witch-hunt must stop,” said Muleya Mwananyanda

This comes after the arrest of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume accused of inciting public violence, the state thwarted a peaceful anti-corruption march and launched a witch hunt against political and human rights activists suspected of being behind the planned demonstrations of July 31

A number of activists went into hiding after police published a list of activists wanted in connection with planned protest.

Muleya said the government is abusing human rights while hiding under the pretext of enforcing lockdown regulations which should be brought to an end.

The amnesty international has called for the African Union chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa to weigh in the Zimbabwean situation because it has reached the climax thus it is the time for Ramaphosa to show leadership.

With heavy police and military presence in most of the towns and cities CBD people are afraid to go out.

Things have been going down hill in Zimbabwe for a long time hence people are calling for an end on the abuses, bad governance, poverty, corruption and economic crisis.

Muleya said she is disappointed with the SADC for failing to address the situation in Zimbabwe.

Muleya said someone has to account for the abductions, violations of human rights that have been taking place in the country