By A Correspondent
In a significant statement made yesterday, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa demanded an apology from the British government for its century-long colonial rule that stripped indigenous Zimbabweans of their land and subjected them to various abuses.
Speaking at the launch of a new study by the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum (ZNEF), titled “Land Displacements: The Untold Stories of Crimes, Injustices, Trauma, and Losses Experienced by Indigenous Zimbabweans During the Colonial Era (1890-1980): A Case for Reparations,” Mnangagwa emphasized the need for acknowledgment of historical wrongs.
He praised ZNEF, which consists of prominent figures from diverse sectors, including clergy, academia, and business, for their commitment to restoring Zimbabwe’s dignity after the colonial era.
“As many would recall, the racist colonial regime started grabbing land in 1893, a process that was further consolidated by pieces of unjust legislation such as the Land Apportionment Act of 1930, and the Native Land Husbandry Act of 1950,” he noted.
Mnangagwa highlighted the significance of the study, stating, “It is, therefore, pleasing that the Forum intends to go further and comprehensively document the untold story of the injustices, trauma, and loss of lives and livelihoods experienced by indigenous black Zimbabweans due to colonial land appropriation and forced movements.”
He added that the findings would aim to foster healing within affected communities and improve relations with the UK, noting recent apologies from former colonial powers: “We have observed… the United Kingdom apologising to the Mau Mau of Kenya and Germany also apologising to the Mbanderu, Herero and Nama people of Namibia.”
Critically, Mnangagwa’s call for an apology comes 44 years after Zimbabwe’s independence. This long delay raises questions about the motivations behind his demand.
Some analysts suggest that it reflects a broader strategy to rally nationalistic sentiments and distract from ongoing domestic challenges, including economic instability and governance issues.