By Lovemore Masunungure
The President, Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, has urged the British government to return the remains of Zimbabwean chiefs currently held in museums in the UK, stating that their spirits will not find peace until they are repatriated.
The President made the call yesterday at the National Heroes Acre, where one of the gallant sons of the Second Chimurenga, the late Cde William Jaison Chezhira Chirinda, was laid to rest.
“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 way. Going forward we urge the British Government to return the remains of our people to Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.
The remains of Chiefs Chiwashira, Chingaira, Mashayamombe, and Marondera are still held in the UK, decades after the end of its unjust rule in Zimbabwe.
The President, who last week launched a study initiated by the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum, expressed his support for any initiative that would document the suppressed and untold stories of the injustices suffered by Zimbabweans at the hands of the British government.
Regarding the late Cde Chirinda, President Mnangagwa stated that the late hero sacrificed his youth to liberate Zimbabwe.
“In the late National Hero, we have lost a loyal, persistent, consistent, brave, and disciplined veteran freedom fighter who sacrificed his youth for the liberation of our motherland, Zimbabwe. His character and personality were an embodiment of humility, sacrifice, patriotism, and selfless service. He stands among the luminaries of our country, from whom the younger generation must emulate,” remarked President Mnangagwa.
Meanwhile, Vice President Gen. Rtd. C. G. N Chiwenga and Col. Rtd. K. D. C Mohadi were also in attendance to give a resounding send-off to Cde Chirinda.
Also in attendance were several Cabinet Ministers including Min of Defence Hon O. C. Z Muchinguri -Kashiri, Ministers Cde F. Shava, F. T Mhona who came with his Deputy Hon J. K Sacco, Hon A. T Mavetera, S. Tawengwa as well as service chiefs led by ZDF commander Gen P. V Sibanda and senior Government Officials.
Thousands of people also came to pay their respects to the great son of the soil who hailed from Mashonaland Province, a region that played a key role in the fight against the colonial settler regime and has stood firm in support of ZANU-PF since independence.
