The remains, believed to belong to prominent leaders of the 1896â€"1897 uprising against colonial rule known historically as the First Chimurenga, were seized by British forces after brutally suppressing the revolt.
Among them are the skulls of revered spiritual leaders Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi, as well as chiefs such as Chinengundu Mashayamombe and Makoni Chingaira, who played key roles in resisting settler expansion.
For decades, the remains were held in European institutions, including the Natural History Museum in London, the University of Cambridge's Duckworth Laboratory, and an unidentified museum in Switzerland. According to Zimbabwe's Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, at least 11 sets of remains are confirmed in the UK, with others believed to be in South Africa.
The agreement follows years of lobbying by Zimbabwe, with calls for repatriation dating back to the presidency of Robert Mugabe, who in 2015 described the retention of the skulls as 'one of the highest forms of racist moral decadence.' Negotiations gained momentum in recent years, leading to formal commitments from UK museums to return the remains.
An inter-ministerial committee comprising the Ministries of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and Local Government has been tasked with coordinating the repatriation process. Its responsibilities include resource mobilisation, developing a formal programme for the return, and ensuring adherence to cultural protocols in consultation with traditional leaders and descendants of the fallen heroes.
Authorities are also planning to construct a high-tech storage and preservation facility to house the remains upon their return. This will serve both as a conservation site and a memorial to the leaders who paid the ultimate price in resisting colonial conquest.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, confirmed to the local media that the process has entered its first phase.
'We hope to complete the repatriation in the shortest time possible,' he said, adding that cultural sensitivity will guide every step.
The announcement came earlier this week as Zimbabwe marked its 45th Heroes Day commemorations, which honour those who fought for the nation's liberation.
The return of the heroes' remains mirrors similar repatriation efforts across Africa, such as Namibia's successful retrieval of Herero and Nama remains from Germany in 2018.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
