mbulelo smpofu
Harare Bureau
THE issuance of title deeds to beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme marks a historic milestone, affirming the irreversibility of the initiative, which will unlock immense value for indigenous people.
This was said by President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare in his address to the nation marking the commemoration of the 37th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Unity Day, which falls today.
President Mnangagwa said the bold decision to empower over 380 000 beneficiaries of the land redistribution programme through issuance of title to their landholdings was a significant initiative to honour the legacy of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“The policies and programmes of the Second Republic are galvanising us all towards increased production and productivity, and propelling us to the realisation of Vision 2030,” he said.
“Brick by brick, stone upon stone and step by step, we are unapologetically marching forward.
“As the people of Zimbabwe, we are entrenching our identity as an independent, sovereign, free, united and truly liberated African people.
“To this end, this past week saw my administration concretise the constitutionally enshrined obligation to give rights to every Zimbabwean citizen to hold and occupy agricultural land.”
President Mnangagwa highlighted the transformative impact of the initiative on Zimbabwe’s socio-economic landscape, saying it was a fundamental step in reinforcing the country’s prosperity and sovereignty.
“Hence, the bold decision to empower the beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme through the issuance of deeds of transfer that will unlock the value of our land,” he said.
“Through this historic act, these new tenure documents will be issued to the over 23 500 A2 and over 360 000 A1 farmers.
“The celebration of this year’s Unity Day is, therefore, equally a jubilant occasion affirming that the land is now irreversibly with its people, and the people with their land.
“This is what our forebears fought for. This is what we, the current generation, have achieved.”
On Friday, President Mnangagwa launched the Land Tenure Implementation Programme at Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe, marking the commencement of the historic initiative aimed at enhancing security of tenure and unlocking economic potential for landowners.
Ten farmers were issued with title deeds during the launch, symbolising the start of the programme expected to benefit over 2 500 landowners over the next three months.
Spearheaded by the Land Tenure Implementation Committee (LTIC), the programme seeks to transition land currently held under 99-year leases, offer letters and permits into bankable, registrable and transferable titles.
Briefing our Harare Bureau on the new development, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said: “Government has already distributed over 10 million hectares to over 366 000 beneficiaries since 1980. About 12 000 plots have already been surveyed and are easily transferable.
“The objective is to convert offer letters and 99-year leases to deeds of transfer for 2 500 farms by March 2025.
“Ten deeds of transfer were issued on Friday; 250 more will be issued by the end of January 2025; and 2 500 by March 2025.”
Title deeds will enable farmers to use their land as collateral for loans, boosting access to financing and enhancing productivity.
With the Department of Deeds and Intellectual Property capable of processing 1 000 title deeds per day, it is envisaged that all A1 and A2 offer letters and 99-year leases will be converted to deeds of transfer within 18 months.
A deed of transfer is a legal document that officially records the transfer of ownership of a piece of property from one party to another.
In the context of land or real estate, it serves as proof of ownership and is registered with the appropriate Government authority, such as a deeds office or land registry.
This development is expected to increase agricultural land’s attractiveness for investment, while ensuring strict controls over its ownership and transfer.
To safeguard Zimbabwean ownership of agricultural land, the programme will prohibit the transfer of land titles to non-nationals.
Former Cabinet Minister Dr Herbert Murerwa, who was one of the first 10 people to receive a title deed, said: “The most important thing is that when you have capital, you are able to invest knowing fully well that you have security of tenure.
“And also you have access to capital, which is very important. And so, I think this will unlock a lot of productivity for the farms, which otherwise are unable to move forward.”
Another beneficiary, Mr Lester Chizunza from Headlands, said: “This milestone has given us an opportunity to maximise land use as we all know that our economy is agro-based.
“We are going to use our land well as we play our part to contribute to national food security and growth of the economy.”
daniel chigunwe
