UK Grants Zimbabwe Permission to Reclaim First Chimurenga War Heroes’ Remains

British authorities have approved Zimbabwe’s request to repatriate the remains of First Chimurenga war heroes taken to Europe as colonial trophies in the 1890s.

The move marks a breakthrough in efforts to restore the dignity of early resistance leaders. Officials say the process has begun, with remains to be retrieved from institutions in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and South Africa.

To lead the operation, Government set up an inter-ministerial committee involving the Ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, and Local Government. Its role is to coordinate logistics, mobilise resources, and uphold cultural protocols.

Traditional leaders and descendants have been consulted to guide the process and shape the ceremonial framework.

Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, said the repatriation process had begun, with consultations and planning already underway.

“We have started the first phase of the process, which we hope will be done in the shortest time possible. Recently, we met to discuss resource mobilisation and the construction of a storage facility that will help preserve the remains once repatriated.

“There will also be a formal programme for the repatriation, which will be presented to the relevant authorities for approval,” he said.

At least 14 sets of remains have been identified—11 at the Natural History Museum in London, two at Cambridge’s Duckworth Laboratory, and one at an unidentified institution in Switzerland.

A senior official from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), speaking anonymously, said the museums had now granted formal approval for the remains to be returned.

“We have now received confirmation from the UK museums that we may take back the remains. The next stage involves finalising the budget and timeline for the repatriation process,” the official said.

The remains are believed to include those of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe, and Chief Makoni Chingaira.

During the colonial era, British forces beheaded many resistance leaders and displayed their skulls publicly to intimidate locals.

These remains were later shipped to Europe for study and display—a practice Zimbabwe has long condemned as a symbol of colonial injustice.

In 2019, the Natural History Museum submitted an archival report to Zimbabwean authorities, tracing the origins of several remains.

The report, compiled by British experts, used documentation from British and South African archives to link the skulls to known historical figures.

According to The Sunday Mail, the repatriation process is gaining momentum. Cultural consultations and infrastructure planning are already underway.

Faranisi also confirmed that authorities are working to verify the identity of remains recently discovered in South Africa.

“All this will be done within the shortest time possible, and once completed, we will submit the recommendations to Cabinet for further guidance,” he said.

Zimbabwe plans to build a high-tech facility to preserve the remains upon return.

The site will ensure long-term conservation and serve as a symbolic resting place for the heroes whose legacy continues to shape the nation’s identity.

Zimbabwe’s campaign mirrors similar efforts across Africa. In 2018, Namibia repatriated skulls of Herero and Nama tribespeople from German institutions, decades after the 1904–1908 genocide.

More recently, the UK returned 32 looted gold and silver artefacts to Ghana’s Asante Kingdom on a six-year loan from the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

As Zimbabwe prepares to mark Heroes Day, the return of its First Chimurenga heroes stands as a powerful act of remembrance—honouring those who laid the foundation for liberation and reclaiming a vital piece of national history.