Rhodesian black nationalist leaders at the weekend ruled out negotiations with the Smith Government until the release of all political detainees.

Following a six-hour meeting on Sunday (23 March), the African National Council (ANC) executive committee said majority rule in Rhodesia was "not negotiable".

The ANC statement came on the eve of the trial of the Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole on charges of plotting to kill fellow black nationalists and supporting terrorist activity.

During Sunday's meeting, members of the ANC executive observed a minute's silence in memory of Mr. Herbert Chitepo, the chairman of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), who was killed by a landmine in Lusaka the previous weak.

Members of the ZANU contingent didn't attend Sunday's meeting because they are still in mourning for Mr. Chitepo.