Britain on Friday said it was not confirmed that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi and 25 First Chimurenga fighters were in the United Kingdom.
Responding to a question from Stephen Ferry who wanted to know what progress is being made on the repatriation from the UK to Zimbabwe of the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi and the 25 First Chimurenga fighters, Minister of State Carline Dinenage said: “It is not confirmed that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguve and the 25 First Chimurenga fighters are held in an UK institution. If it was determined that they were in the UK, and a request for their return was received, the decision to do so would be a matter for that institution to consider.”
Extract from the UK Parliament Hansard.
Armed Conflict: Zimbabwe: Written question – 62701
QAsked by Stephen Farry(North Down)Asked on: 22 June 2020Department for Digital, Culture, Media and SportArmed Conflict: Zimbabwe 62701 To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress is being made on the repatriation from the UK to Zimbabwe of the remains of (a) Mbuya Nehanda, (b) Sekuru Kaguvi and (c) the 25 First Chimurenga fighters.AAnswered by: Caroline Dinenage Answered on: 26 June 2020
It is not confirmed that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguve and the 25 First Chimurenga fighters are held in an UK institution. If it was determined that they were in the UK, and a request for their return was received, the decision to do so would be a matter for that institution to consider.
Reports in February this year said that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi -heroes of Zimbabwe’s revolution- were expected to be repatriated to Zimbabwe in April from the United Kingdom, where they are being kept as war trophies in London museums.