INTAF

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, commonly referred to as INTAF (or Intaf), was a cabinet ministry of the Rhodesian government. One of Rhodesia's most important governmental departments, it was responsible for the welfare and development of the black African rural population. It played a significant role maintaining control of rural African villages during the Rhodesian Bush War.

Established by the

INTAF was led by the Minister of Internal Affairs, who was appointed by Prime Minister of Rhodesia Ian Smith. William Harper was the first Minister of Internal Affairs, and Rollo Hayman was the last.

History

Native Affairs Department, 1894-1962

In 1894 the British South Africa Company established the Native Affairs Department^[1] to be responsible for the welfare of black Africans living on tribal trust lands in the colony of Southern Rhodesia. The Head of the Department was the Administrator in Council; beneath him was the Secretary for Native Affairs. Under the Secretary were the two Chief Native Commissioners of Matabeleland and Mashonaland. Under the Chief Native Commissioners were Native Commissioners, who were responsible for the administration of their tribal districts and sub-districts. They were assisted by Assistant Native Commissioners.^[2]

Ministry of Internal Affairs, 1962-1979

In 1962, the Native Affairs Department was abolished by the

Harper was replaced as Minister of Internal Affairs by Lance Smith, another member of Ian Smith's ruling Rhodesian Front party. In 1970, he oversaw the implementation of the Land Tenure Act, which divided Rhodesia's land into equal halves for the black and white populations.^[3] The law was controversial as Rhodesia's white population of around 200,000 was dwarfed by the black population of over four million. Smith also introduced plans for black Rhodesians to be required to carry identity cards when working outside of designated areas.^{[citation needed]} These plans were defeated at the Rhodesian Front Congress in October 1971.^{[citation needed]} After the May 1972 Pearce Commission verdict against the provisional independence proposal, Smith advised black Rhodesians in June 1972 that they would have to rely on themselves to improve their position, and that external assistance would not be available.^{[citation needed]} His "provincialisation" plans, announced on 13 July 1972, were intended to shift control of tribal areas from the white government to African chiefs, thus trending towards separate development for blacks and whites.^{[citation needed]} He also established the Tribal Trust Land Development Corporation.^[6] Smith stepped down as INTAF minister in 1974.

Upon the dissolution of Rhodesia and the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 through the Lancaster House Agreement, INTAF was dissolved and replaced with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Home Affairs.

Organizational structure

INTAF was headed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, who was assisted by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.^[7]

Personnel

District Commissioners, Assistant District Commissioners, District Officers, Cadets and District Assistants were expected to be qualified in Rhodesian law, the customary law of the tribe they dealt with, and the tribal language (i.e.

In 1975, with the security situation increasingly volatile, a training depot was set up at Chikurubi to ensure all new District Assistants and all members of the Internal Affairs had full military training. Training instructors were recruited from the Rhodesian Light Infantry. Members of the Internal Affairs were mainly black volunteers, but also included white conscripts. The mainstay of National Servicemen were regular officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Administration cadet national servicemen were Cadet 1 and 2, District Officers and Assistant District Commissioners. Agricultural Officers and African Development Fund men were also National Servicemen trained at Chikurubi. Their training included drill, weapons, map reading, African Customs and African Languages.

As well as providing security at villages, Internal Affairs personnel patrolled the surrounding area. According to the local situation and resources, this was done on foot, on bicycles, in motor vehicles, or on horseback. The utility of INTAF horse-mounted units led to the formation of Grey's Scouts, an army horse-mounted unit, in 1975.

As the war progressed, Intaf formed an elite military branch called the Administrative Reinforcement Units (ARU); these consisted of eight troops (one for each province). The ARU were reinforced with volunteers seconded from the Rhodesian African Rifles, Rhodesian Defence Regiment, and Selous Scouts.

Reservists called up for service with Intaf were generally allotted to units known as "echelons". There was one INTAF echelon for each province.

Intaf maintained light aircraft for transport and reconnaissance, of which one was shot down during the Bush War.

Members of INTAF initially wore a khaki uniform formerly worn by the Rhodesian Army with a red beret or a slouch hat with red puggaree, but later wore camouflage.^[8][9]

Protected villages

Internal Affairs personnel played a prominent role in the war. They served at Joint Operational Centres and were involved in setting up the protected villages program. The paramilitary "Guard Force" later became responsible for security of the protected villages.

Ranks

Officers

Rank group	General / flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
Rhodesian Internal Affairs Regular Service[10][11] v t e
							Provincial commissioner		District commissioner		Assistant district commissioner		Senior district officer		District officer										Cadet I						Cadet II
Rhodesian Internal Affairs National Service
																	Senior vedette officer		Vedette officer			Ensign			National Service Cadet I			National Service Cadet II			National Service Cadet III			National Service Cadet IV

Enlisted

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Rhodesian Internal Affairs Regular Service[10][11] v t e																													No insignia
	Warrant officer										Senior district assistant												District assistant grade I				District assistant grade II		Private
Rhodesian Internal Affairs National Service																													No insignia
	Vedette senior warrant officer						Vedette junior warrant officer		Staff vedette		Vedette detachment leader												Vedette section leader				Senior vedette		Vedette

Budget

INTAF's expanded duties during the Rhodesian Bush War corresponded with a great increase in its budget. From the 1971–72 and 1977-78 budgets, the Rhodesian government's allocations to INTAF grew by 305%.^[12]

References