The Ministry of Internal Affairs, commonly known as INTAF (or Intaf), was one of the most important branches of the Rhodesian government. It was responsible for the welfare and development of the black African rural population. It had uniformed District Commissioners, Assistant District Commissioners and District Assistants responsible for administering rural areas. The ministry maintained its own security force, the Guard Force, which played an important role in defending government control of black African villages during the Rhodesian Bush War.