Rhodes' memorial in Zimbabwe under threat

Supporters of Zimbabwean President Mr Robert Mugabe are threatening to dig up the remains of one the key figures of British colonialism…

Supporters of Zimbabwean President Mr Robert Mugabe are threatening to dig up the remains of one the key figures of British colonialism in Africa.

War veterans and locals in the Matopos national park, where Cecil John Rhodes is buried, say he took the country from them.

They say they'll "take the law into their own hands" if his remains and memorial aren't removed and sent back to Britain.

Mr Andrew Ndlovu, secretary of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans, said: "Cecil Rhodes is the hero of the British. He is the one who grabbed land and left it in the hands of whites and is the reason why Zimbabwe has been suspended from the commonwealth for trying to address a problem that he left behind.

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"We cannot find peace when we are keeping a white demon in our midst which is at the very core of our problems. His grave should be returned to the British or we will destroy it."

Mr Nathan Shamuyarira, of President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, said: "We are trying to free ourselves from all forms of colonialism and it would be a good idea to have Rhodes' statue returned to Britain."

The grave is guarded by police and protected as a national monument.

The British colonist made his fortune in diamond mining and became prime minister of the British Cape Colony. He also gave his name to Rhodesia, as Zimbabwe was known until 22 years ago.

However he has also been linked to bribery and brutality and has been accused of displacing locals when he brought land.

PA