It appears that most persons detained on an indefinite basis under the Emergency Regulations (under orders issued by the Minister of Law and Order) have now been released, although an unknown number of persons remain in short-term detention (up to 60 days) under orders issued by the police. In addition there has as yet been no move to release martial law detainees.
A review of the cases of an estimated 70 people still held in detention under ministerial order was initiated by Lord Soames shortly after his arrival in Rhodesia. On 28 December a British official revealed that 41 persons were still held and that these would only be released once the British administration was satisfied that the ceasefire was working. 10 "senior guerilla leaders" were reported to have been released from detention on 3 January.
