President Mnangagwa Unveils Chimoio Camp: A Bold Step Towards Reclaiming Zimbabwean Identity

By Staff Reporter

At a ceremony that was rich in national pride and historical importance, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, His Excellency, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, today officially commissioned the new name of Tomlinson Depot, henceforth to be referred to as Chimoio Camp Depot. The President also commissioned new residential flats at the complex, and henceforth to be referred to as the Chimoio Police Camp Flats.

Speaking at a top-of-agenda function with the Defence Minister, Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, State Minister for the Harare Metropolitan Province,
Hon. C. Z. Tawengwa, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Hon. K. Kazembe, and other cabinet ministers and service commanders, President Mnangagwa declared this renaming as a milestone in the country’s continued pursuit to eradicate the colonial heritage and settle its rightful place in Zimbabwean identity.

“Colonialism saw the naming of places and institutions being used as a means of dispossession, both physically and psychologically, for asserting dominion over our land and us its rightful owners,” President Mnangagwa stated. He underscored that the Second Republic has made a deliberate decision to accelerate such name changes across the country, serving as a powerful act of memorialization and recognition of Zimbabwe’s rich liberation history and the heroes who shaped it.

The President emphasized that these changes align with the philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind,” fostering unity and national pride by emphasizing shared values and heritage. “These name changes are an important tool for preserving our heritage, hence, we are ensuring that the choice of names always echo the correct historical narratives of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” he affirmed.

The renaming of Tomlinson Depot to Chimoio Camp closely comes after previous renaming of Morris Depot to Mkushi Police Academy, yet another testament to the desire to recall the country’s fight for independence. Dr. Mnangagwa eloquently spoke about the “heinous and atrocious acts” of the First and Second Chimurenga/Umvukela, appealing that the costs endured on an individual basis never be taken for granted. He urged such remembrance, though painful, to “rekindle our fortitude to always defend and safeguard the Independence, freedom, unity and peace we now enjoy.”

Chimoio, a significant Mozambican liberation war camp, holds invaluable symbolic meaning. The President recognized Frontline States, and Mozambique, Frelimo, and the people of Mozambique, in particular, for unwavering solidarity and sacrifice in sheltering, sustaining, and educating the Zimbabwean liberation army. “Zimbabwe shall always be forever in their debt for these acts of solidarity and support,” he said, adding “Muito Obrigado; Thank you. Aluta Continua.”

In addition to the symbolic renaming, President Mnangagwa addressed the welfare of police officers and commissioned four living blocks at Chimoio Police Camp. He emphasized the key importance of satisfactory accommodation of public servants in the delivery of quality services. “Our public servants must have proper and secure housing to stay with their families so that they can excel in the provision of good quality services,” he said, recognizing the enormous resources involved in accommodating the needs of the Police Service countrywide.”.

The President assured that his government would continue to seek innovative ways to offer quality institutional accommodation, facilitating easy deployment and re-location of officers and their dependents. The stakeholders and ministries were challenged by the President to increase cooperation and innovation to address the wider housing demands of the civil service, including renovating and amalgamating the Zimbabwe Republic Police building blocks.

Moreover, President Mnangagwa reiterated the need to include climate-smart technologies and recreational spaces within new developments to support adaptation and mitigation towards climate, as well as deter anti-social behavior, particularly among youths.

He re-emphasized the government’s commitment to empower the Zimbabwe Republic Police with the capacity needed for efficient execution of their constitutional mandate, which includes dealing with immediate challenges like transnational organized crimes, armed robbery, and road traffic accidents. Training and capacity-building in specialized skills will continue to be supported to empower the officers with the knowledge for critical policing services both domestically and internationally.

President Mnangagwa thanked the Zimbabwe Republic Police for assisting in ensuring peace and security, which he described as cardinal to investment, commerce, and sustainable socio-economic development towards Vision 2030. He also urged all Zimbabweans to assist the Police Service and not provide shelter to criminals, by adopting the motto: “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.”

During his inaugural speech while performing the inauguration, President Mnangagwa thanked all the stakeholders present during the construction of the new apartments, asking the beneficiaries to be responsible custodians of the new structures and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to actively perform the routine maintenance.

With these formal declarations, President Mnangagwa formally opened Tomlinson Depot “officially renamed Chimoio Camp” and the Chimoio Camp Residential Flats “officially commissioned,” a milestone in Zimbabwe’s path of self-determination and national identity.