HOME Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe says there is need for closure on the discussion surrounding the repatriation of skulls of Zimbabwean heroes taken to Britain during the colonial era.
Authorities in Zimbabwe have long suspected that the remains of some of the leaders of an uprising against British rule in the 1890s were taken to the United Kingdom as trophies.
Legend has it that the remains of spirit medium Mbuya Nehanda, who was captured by the British in 1897, hanged and then beheaded, were shipped in a sack to England as trophies of conquest.
For over 30 years, Zimbabwe has been trying to recover these remains, believing her skull remains on display in a British museum.
“I also want to add that the issue of the human remains of the heroes of the First Chimurenga being kept in the Natural History Museum in Britain should be brought to its logical conclusion to give closure to the families and the nation at large,” Kazembe said.
He was speaking at the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Strategic Planning Workshop in Harare on Thursday.
In October, British ambassador to Zimbabwe Peter Vowles pledged to have the remains repatriated back to Zimbabwe.
Kazembe also launched an initiative to document, preserve and promote the country’s liberation history.
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“We will work closely with these nations to identify, document and preserve liberation heritage sites, ensuring our shared history is protected and celebrated,” he said.
He also reconstituted the board of trustees of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, which is tasked with overseeing the preservation and promotion of the country’s heritage.
“The ship was sailing without a captain for too long,” Kazembe said.
He stressed the need for compliance in governance and policy formulation, urging the board to address gaps in the entity’s compliance matters.
“My ministry also expects urgent attention on the maintenance of our shrines both within and outside our borders, in tandem with our clients’ expectations.”
