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Mnangagwa renames Tomlinson depot to Chimoio camp
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa today officially renamed the historic Tomlinson Depot to Chimoio Camp and commissioned new police residential flats at the site, describing the initiative as a concrete step toward decolonising Zimbabwe's institutional identity and honouring the country's liberation war heroes.
The event, attended by senior government officials, Cabinet ministers, and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Steven Mutamba, marked a symbolic shift in national consciousness and infrastructural transformation within the police service.
"This renaming is not symbolic. It is a direct act of reclaiming our heritage and paying tribute to those who fought and died for our independence," said President Mnangagwa in his keynote address.
"The name Chimoio is deeply etched in the history of our liberation struggle. This facility must now reflect our national story."
The President also commissioned four blocks of residential flats, now called Chimoio Police Camp Flats, which will house police officers stationed at the newly renamed camp.
He said the development aligns with broader government efforts to improve the welfare of state security personnel.
"Decent accommodation is a right, not a luxury, especially for our officers who safeguard our peace and enforce law and order. We will continue investing in better living conditions for our public servants," he said.
Mnangagwa said the renaming of public institutions, from police facilities to streets and buildings, is essential in dismantling colonial-era legacies and ensuring that Zimbabwe's historical narratives reflect African identity and values of the liberation struggle.
"This is about more than changing names. It's about educating present and future generations about our heritage and the sacrifices that shaped our freedom," he told the gathering.
The President praised regional allies who supported Zimbabwe during its liberation war, particularly neighbouring Mozambique and the ruling FRELIMO party.
"Zimbabwe will always remain indebted to the solidarity and support extended to us by frontline states and liberation movements such as FRELIMO," he said.
Mnangagwa acknowledged the growing demand for housing and infrastructure for the country's uniformed forces, urging relevant ministries and local authorities to accelerate development and adopt climate-smart technologies in new construction projects.
"With these efforts, we are building not just structures but a proud and resilient Zimbabwe," he declared.
The renaming of Tomlinson Depot-long associated with the colonial administration-to Chimoio Camp signals a significant moment in the government's drive to realign public institutions with the country's liberation ethos. Chimoio, in Mozambique, was the site of a brutal attack by Rhodesian forces in 1977, where hundreds of Zimbabwean freedom fighters were killed.
The move has been widely welcomed within the police force, with officers hailing both the symbolic and material benefits of the initiative.
The event, attended by senior government officials, Cabinet ministers, and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Steven Mutamba, marked a symbolic shift in national consciousness and infrastructural transformation within the police service.
"This renaming is not symbolic. It is a direct act of reclaiming our heritage and paying tribute to those who fought and died for our independence," said President Mnangagwa in his keynote address.
"The name Chimoio is deeply etched in the history of our liberation struggle. This facility must now reflect our national story."
The President also commissioned four blocks of residential flats, now called Chimoio Police Camp Flats, which will house police officers stationed at the newly renamed camp.
He said the development aligns with broader government efforts to improve the welfare of state security personnel.
"Decent accommodation is a right, not a luxury, especially for our officers who safeguard our peace and enforce law and order. We will continue investing in better living conditions for our public servants," he said.
"This is about more than changing names. It's about educating present and future generations about our heritage and the sacrifices that shaped our freedom," he told the gathering.
The President praised regional allies who supported Zimbabwe during its liberation war, particularly neighbouring Mozambique and the ruling FRELIMO party.
"Zimbabwe will always remain indebted to the solidarity and support extended to us by frontline states and liberation movements such as FRELIMO," he said.
Mnangagwa acknowledged the growing demand for housing and infrastructure for the country's uniformed forces, urging relevant ministries and local authorities to accelerate development and adopt climate-smart technologies in new construction projects.
"With these efforts, we are building not just structures but a proud and resilient Zimbabwe," he declared.
The renaming of Tomlinson Depot-long associated with the colonial administration-to Chimoio Camp signals a significant moment in the government's drive to realign public institutions with the country's liberation ethos. Chimoio, in Mozambique, was the site of a brutal attack by Rhodesian forces in 1977, where hundreds of Zimbabwean freedom fighters were killed.
The move has been widely welcomed within the police force, with officers hailing both the symbolic and material benefits of the initiative.
Source - The Herald
