JOHANNESBURG: A contingent of American diplomats investigating the political situation in Zimbabwe was chased by the police in their car Thursday, stopped at a roadblock and detained, American officials said.

The diplomats were released from custody after five hours, according to the U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, William McGee. A team of British diplomats was also detained and released along with the Americans.

During a car chase of about 10 kilometers, or six miles, the police tried to force the American diplomats off the road. When the diplomats were finally stopped, all four tires of their white SUV were slashed and a local security official was punched.