Harare, (New Ziana) -President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday officially unveiled the new name of Tomlinson Depot, which will now be known as Chimoio Camp Depot, marking another step in ongoing efforts to decolonise national institutions and reclaim the historical narrative of the country.
At the same occasion, President Mnangagwa commissioned 96 newly constructed housing units for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), named the Chimoio Police Camp Flats, a development aimed at improving living conditions for police officers.
The Tomilnson Depot was named after the late Afred James Tomilnson who served as acting Commissioner General of the British South Africa Police (BSAP), from which he retired in 1926.
It was a training facility for black recruits within the BSAP, while white officers were trained at the Morris Depot.
The British South Africa Company was founded in 1889 by Cecil Rhodes, an English-South African mining magnate and politician in southern Africa who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896.
He and his British South Africa Company founded the southern African territory of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia), which the company named after him in 1895. He also devoted much effort to realising his vision of a Cape to Cairo Railway through British territory.
Addressing the gathering, President Mnangagwa emphasised the deeper significance of renaming public institutions, calling it a strategic move to restore national identity, honour liberation heroes, and confront the psychological legacies of colonialism.
“Colonialism saw the naming of places and institutions being used as a means of dispossession. Following the advent of the Second Republic, my Administration took a deliberate decision to accelerate the name changes of strategic national institutions to reflect our heritage and values,” he said.
He said the newly named Chimoio Camp Depot pays tribute to the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle, specifically referencing the historic Chimoio Camp in Mozambique, which played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s fight for independence, adding that the renaming also acknowledges the unwavering solidarity from Mozambique and its ruling FRELIMO party.
“To our brothers and sisters in the Frontline States, both departed and living, Zimbabwe shall always remain eternally indebted to you,” HE said.
Alongside the renaming, President Mnangagwa commissioned four blocks of residential flats at the camp, describing them as part of the government’s broader initiative to improve institutional accommodation for public servants, particularly police officers.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring safe, decent, and climate-resilient housing for civil servants, which he said was essential for service delivery and social stability.
“Public servants require good places to stay with their families to be effective. Our police officers perform demanding roles, they deserve safe and dignified accommodation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa called for collaboration among government Ministries, the private sector, and the construction industry to scale up infrastructure development across the country.
He also highlighted the need to integrate climate-smart technologies and recreational facilities into public housing projects to improve quality of life and curb anti-social behaviour among youths.
President Mnangagwa acknowledged the vital role that the Zimbabwe Republic Police plays in maintaining law and order, especially in an era of complex and emerging security challenges.
He assured the nation that his government would continue to invest in police training, infrastructure, and technology to better equip officers to tackle issues such as organised crime, armed robberies, and traffic safety.
“We are determined to equip our officers with the knowledge and skills to handle critical policing missions within and beyond our borders,” he said, praising the role of the police in creating a peaceful environment that supports economic growth.
New Ziana
