Copyright status of pre-1980 government works

Dear Sir,

My name is John _______ _____ and I am a volunteer editor of Wikipedia. I am writing because I and others on the Wikimedia Commons are trying to ascertain the official stance of the government of Zimbabwe on copyright, with particular reference to the copyright status of official works (photographs, etc) created by or under the auspices of the former Southern Rhodesian and Federal governments, or by the former Rhodesian UDI government.

If you could assist us with the following queries we would be very grateful.

1. Our understanding is that under Zimbabwean copyright law works such as photographs are generally protected for 50 years from creation and that this applies equally to government works and works created by private citizens. Is this correct?

2. Our understanding is that copyright over works of the former Southern Rhodesian government is now held by the government by Zimbabwe as its legal successor. Is this correct?

3. Who or what, if anything, inherited the copyright over works of the former Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland government after 31 December 1963? We suppose the then-Southern Rhodesian government as that inherited the vast majority of the Federation's assets. If you could shed some light on this matter we would be grateful.

4. Our understanding is that since the copyright law enacted under UDI in 1967 remained in force after independence (and has since been altered), the copyright over works by the former Rhodesian (latterly Zimbabwe-Rhodesian) UDI government also passed to the government of Zimbabwe from 1980. Is this correct?

5. If the government of Zimbabwe does own the copyright over any or all of the aforementioned works, what is its policy with regard to protecting them? Does the government wish to reserve copyright over these works or does it have no interest in them?

We look forward to your reply. A very Happy New Year to you.

Kind regards,

John _______ _____