TWENTY-THREE pastors, including former vicar-general of the Anglican Diocese of Harare, Tim Neill, were yesterday arrested outside the Police General Headquarters, Harare, as they demonstrated against police intimidation and brutality.

The demonstration was organised by the Zimbabwe National Pastors' Conference (ZNPC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) and Ecumenical Support Services.

In a Press statement released last night, the EFZ said it strongly condemns "and is deeply saddened by the arrest and detention of 23 pastors and clergy, one of them blind."

"'The EFZ fully supports and encourages the bravery, faith and conviction of these men of God in making a firm stand against injustice, violence and the violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms," read the statement.

The march began at ZNPC offices in Central Avenue and proceeded towards Josiah Chinamano where they intended to hand over a petition to Augustine Chihuri, the Police Commissioner, before heading to the Ministry of Home Affairs at Mukwati Building. But as they reached the police headquarters a group of policemen intercepted them and hauled them into two police trucks.

Surprisingly, the police broke into revolutionary songs as they escorted the pastors to Harare Central Police Station.

The sang: "Masuwa kurohwa baba masuwa chose ( you miss being beaten)." Pastor Joseph Munemo one of the victims said: "Though we had been granted permission from Assistant Inspector Mandeya to hand over the petition, we got a rude awakening. As we are speaking, we haven't been told why we have been arrested."

Jacob Mafume, the ZNPC lawyer said: "The arrest was clearly unconstitutional because this was a peaceful march by peace loving men of God. The police are likely to charge them under the repressive Public Order and Security Act." He said freedom of expression was clearly being stifled and the police were taking advantage of the draconian Act to victimise innocent citizens.

The petition read in part: "Our duty as pastors and clergy is to affirm the gift of life, its freedom, responsibilities and human dignity of which those in power, police inclusive, have to adhere to."

The pastors castigated the police for disrupting a peaceful and legal church meeting at the Northside community church in Borrowdale, Harare, about a fortnight ago.

The president of the EFZ, Bishop Manhanga and four other civic leaders were arrested in the raid. The police have been accused of selectively applying the notorious Public Order and Security Act mainly against opponents of President Mugabe's government.