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Arrest and Detention of 23 Pastors and Clergy
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe
February 28, 2003

The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) strongly condemns and is deeply saddened by the arrest and detention of 23 pastors and clergy, one of them blind, on Friday 28th February 2003 at the entrance to the Police General Headquarters in Harare.

The 23 pastors and clergy were walking peacefully towards the Police H.Q. to present a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Augustine Chihuri. In addition to protesting against incidents of forceful and unjust arrests and detentions of the clergy, including that of EFZ President Bishop Trevor Manhanga and four other civic leaders on Thursday 13th February, 2003, the petition also lamented the misuse of Police power to violate and criminalize with impunity, the freedom of expression and the right to assemble. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Ecumenical Support Services, Zimbabwe National Pastors' Conference and the Peace-building Sub-committee of the Crisis Coalition jointly organized the peaceful march.

Although the Police Commissioner was not in his office, Deputy Commissioner Mandeya had told the pastors that he would receive their petition on behalf of the Commissioner. Before the pastors could see Deputy Commissioner Mandeya, riot police appeared at the police H.Q. chanting derisive songs and swiftly arrested the pastors. They were taken to Harare Central Police Station, where they were held from morning until evening without food.

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. The peaceful walk was not in any way a threat public order and security: if anything, it was the rowdy and uncivil riot police who actually violated POSA by disrupting a peaceful democratic process and causing unnecessary alarm.

Zimbabweans have suffered enough political violence to continue to be subjected to arbitrary arrests and detentions. We believe it is now time to heal and to rebuild. It is also time to stop violence by the police in pursuit of peace and justice.

EFZ demands an immediate repeal of POSA, which is a reincarnation of the colonial politics of repression and coercion. Zimbabweans deserve human dignity, freedoms and rights in keeping with their democratic aspirations and values.

Visit the EFZ fact sheet

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