NEW: Zim seeks reparations from former colonial power

Online Reporter

President Mnangagwa has called for reparations, restorations and an apology from the country’s former colonial power, Britain, citing decades of crimes, injustices and trauma inflicted upon indigenous black Zimbabweans.

Addressing the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum in Harare on Thursday, the President said there is a need for post-colonial reconciliation.

“The time has come for us to engage our erstwhile former colonial power, objectively and astutely, seeking the much-delayed yet important post-colonial gesture of reparations, restorations and much-needed apology and reconciliation.

“Equally, the subject of reparations is not new, but the calls for restitution continue to grow louder and louder,” he said.

President Mnangagwa’s remarks came as the Elders Forum launched a study documenting land displacements, crimes and losses experienced by Zimbabweans during the colonial era (1890-1980).

“While my administration has been forthright in accommodating compensation of white former farmers in respect of improvements on the farms redistributed by the State, we cannot afford to ignore the cries of our people for justice.

“Hence, the reason why the government has placed substantial value and significance to the journey that the Elders Forum has embarked on through this proposed study.

“In retrospect, it is the colonial power that should have compensated Zimbabwe first and Zimbabwe then using part of the reparations to compensate the former white farmers for the improvements. We realise that national healing will not be complete without the empathy similar to that accorded to the said farmers.”