A pamphlet published by the regime itself, namely the Ministry of Information, Immigration and Tourism, in October 1978 provides one of the clearest indications of exactly what martial law means for the residents of the areas concerned. The pamphlet explains that prior to the introduction of martial law,
"the strict observance of the law by the Security Forces inhibited them from dealing quickly and effectively with outbreaks of terrorism or the threat of terrorism. ... Under such circumstances the State may be compelled by the needs of the moment to disregard some extent and for a temporary period the ordinary safeguards of liberty in defence of liberty itself and to substitute for the careful and deliberate procedure of the law a machinery more drastic and speedy to cope with a pressing danger. Where such a condition of things has been brought about a state of martial law may exist.
"As long as a state of martial law exists, the military authorities, of which the Acting President is the Commander-in-Chief, will have the power to take whatever measures are reasonably necessary to defend Rhodesia and its inhabitants. There will be no need for them to seek chapter and verse under the law for any action they propose to take for ... the safety of the State will be the supreme law."
A report received by IDAF from inside Zimbabwe and dated 2 March 1979 states that under martial law:
"The position is reached where the Security Forces can arrest and detain people for as long as they wish, impound their cattle, confiscate their assets without having to give an account to anybody, beat up the local people and raze their huts to the ground without any possible recourse against them. ... The writer is no military man and is not actively engaged in politics and his very grave concern is that a situation has been reached where sometimes innocent tribesmen lose their property or are incarcerated in prison without any remedy available in law. In short the rule of law as we know it is no longer applicable."
