Mnangagwa Urges UK to Return War Heroes’ Remains
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the British government to repatriate the remains of Chimurenga war heroes for dignified burial, emphasizing the need for justice and respect for Zimbabwe’s history.
Speaking at the funeral of the late hero Jaison William Chezhira Chakaipa Chirinda, Mnangagwa highlighted that the spirits of these 19th-century anti-colonial leaders, including Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi, will not find peace until their remains are returned to Zimbabwe.
The remains of other notable figures from the First Chimurenga, such as Chief Makoni Chingaira, Chief Mapondera, and Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe, are also sought after.
These remains are believed to have been taken to Britain as war trophies during the colonial era and are currently used for research purposes.
In a positive development, both London’s Natural History Museum and Cambridge University have expressed willingness to collaborate with Zimbabwe on the repatriation of these human remains.
This acknowledgment marks a potential step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by the nation.
Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of repatriation, stating, “We remind the British Government and people that the spirits of our heroes will not rest until their remains are repatriated and interred in a dignified manner.”
He called for the British government to take action and return the remains to their homeland.
Additionally, the president has recently demanded an apology from the British government for over a century of colonial rule that dispossessed indigenous people of their land and subjected them to various abuses.
He also called for reparations and restitution for the exploitation of Zimbabwe during the colonial period, which spanned from 1890 to 1980.
