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Mthwakazi demands UK apology over colonialism
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The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has written to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland demanding a formal apology and reparations for the colonisation of Matabeleland by the British South Africa Company (BSAC) under a Royal Charter granted by the British Crown in 1889.
The Royal Charter, issued to Cecil John Rhodes' BSAC, authorised the company to acquire and administer territories between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers. Acting under this authority, the BSAC invaded the Ndebele Kingdom in 1893, defeating King Lobengula's forces, dismantling the monarchy, and annexing Matabeleland under British rule.
Although the BSAC operated as a commercial entity, the MRP argues that it acted under explicit authority of the British Crown, which bears continuing historical responsibility for its actions.
In a letter dated October 7, 2025, MRP leader Mqondiso Moyo said the invasion and subsequent colonisation of the Ndebele Kingdom had "profound and enduring consequences" for the Ndebele nation.
"The acts of the BSAC under Royal Charter were executed with Crown authority and therefore fall within the realm of acts for which the United Kingdom bears continuing historical responsibility," Moyo wrote.
He cited international legal principles, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2007) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which affirm the right of peoples to seek redress for historical dispossession and to freely determine their political and social development.
The letter was copied to several UK institutions and officials, including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs Committee, the House of Commons, the Privy Council Office, the Attorney General for England and Wales, and the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
Moyo demanded that the UK government issue a public apology and implement restorative measures for the invasion of Matabeleland.
"Provide an official clarification of the legal authority and Crown role in the BSAC conquest and annexation of Matabeleland," the letter read.
"Acknowledge and publicly recognise the injustices committed under British authority against the Ndebele people. Facilitate a dialogue process involving the British government, the people of Matabeleland, and the government of Zimbabwe to address issues of historical justice, land restitution, and cultural restoration."
The MRP also called for heritage preservation initiatives, educational assistance, and development cooperation aimed at rebuilding Matabeleland's socio-economic base.
"The British government must issue a formal public apology, recorded in both the UK and Zimbabwean national archives," Moyo added.
The Royal Charter, issued to Cecil John Rhodes' BSAC, authorised the company to acquire and administer territories between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers. Acting under this authority, the BSAC invaded the Ndebele Kingdom in 1893, defeating King Lobengula's forces, dismantling the monarchy, and annexing Matabeleland under British rule.
Although the BSAC operated as a commercial entity, the MRP argues that it acted under explicit authority of the British Crown, which bears continuing historical responsibility for its actions.
In a letter dated October 7, 2025, MRP leader Mqondiso Moyo said the invasion and subsequent colonisation of the Ndebele Kingdom had "profound and enduring consequences" for the Ndebele nation.
"The acts of the BSAC under Royal Charter were executed with Crown authority and therefore fall within the realm of acts for which the United Kingdom bears continuing historical responsibility," Moyo wrote.
He cited international legal principles, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2007) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which affirm the right of peoples to seek redress for historical dispossession and to freely determine their political and social development.
The letter was copied to several UK institutions and officials, including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs Committee, the House of Commons, the Privy Council Office, the Attorney General for England and Wales, and the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
Moyo demanded that the UK government issue a public apology and implement restorative measures for the invasion of Matabeleland.
"Provide an official clarification of the legal authority and Crown role in the BSAC conquest and annexation of Matabeleland," the letter read.
"Acknowledge and publicly recognise the injustices committed under British authority against the Ndebele people. Facilitate a dialogue process involving the British government, the people of Matabeleland, and the government of Zimbabwe to address issues of historical justice, land restitution, and cultural restoration."
The MRP also called for heritage preservation initiatives, educational assistance, and development cooperation aimed at rebuilding Matabeleland's socio-economic base.
"The British government must issue a formal public apology, recorded in both the UK and Zimbabwean national archives," Moyo added.
Source - Southern Eye
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