Constitution of Rhodesia

by CiderDrinker

I'm looking for information about the constitution of Rhodesia between the UDI in 1965 and the adoption of the republican Constitution in 1969.

The Declaration of Independence refers to a Constitution included as an annex. My assumption is that this was the Constitution of 1961, as amended by the Constitution of Rhodesia (Amendment) Act, 1965 - however, I have not been able to ascertain whether this is the case. Neither have I been able to find the text of the 1965 Act or the Constitution as amended by the Act.

I'm particularly interested in how the powers of the Crown were exercised in a country which the Crown itself did not recognise. I have found one reference to 'The Queen of Rhodesia', and several to an 'Officer Administering the Government' (presumably a stand-in for a Governor-General who was never appointed), but I'd like to get more clarity on how this actually worked.

Above all, I'd like to read the constitutions of Rhodesia for myself. I have not been able to find the texts either of the Constitution of Rhodesia 1961 (Southern Rhodesia (Constitution) Order in Council, of 1961 (S.I.1961, No. 2314)), or of the Constitution of Rhodesia Amendment Act 1965. It is beyond the period I'm focusing on, but I'd also like to get the full text of the 1969 Constitution, by way of comparison. Any help locating these documents would be appreciated.

Note: I'm not looking for the Southern Rhodesia Constitution Order of 1965. That was the British Government's response to the UDI, which was the de jure constitution, in the eyes of the UK, during this period. I'm looking for the documents that were recognised as being constitutionally authoritative from the Rhodesian side.

Sorry for such a narrow and specific question. Really it's just help with finding sources that I need. I hope someone out there is an expert in the legal history of southern Africa!

CiderDrinker

Hi everyone. I found what I was looking for.

Case closed.