Church leaders hit out at Mugabe

Zimbabwe's police are criticised as being partisan

President Robert Mugabe's government has been strongly condemned by church leaders in Zimbabwe.

A letter, signed by clergy from 59 Christian denominations, said the government was no longer upholding justice and the rule of law.

"Any government that negates these principles forfeits its God-given mandate to rule," the statement said.

They also called on the authorities to enter into Church-led talks with the opposition to defuse tensions.

Three church bishops are currently trying to get the two parties talking, but little progress has been reported.

"We therefore urge all parties concerned to treat the talks with urgency," they said.

Media

The statement, which came out of a meeting earlier this month, also called for the repeal of what they said were draconian security and media laws, and condemned "the inhuman and violent means to right historical imbalances in land distribution".

Mugabe blames the West for the crisis in Zimbabwe

On Thursday, the authorities charged nine reporters from the banned independent newspaper, the Daily News, with breaching the country's media laws.

They are accused of operating without licences.

Police said that altogether 45 journalists from the paper were likely to be charged on similar grounds.

The authorities closed down the Daily News - Zimbabwe's only privately-owned paper - earlier this month, saying it was operating without a warrant, after it had refused to register.

The controversial media laws were introduced following President Mugabe's disputed election victory in 2002.