Zimbabwe Government Makes U-Turn on Land Titles In a significant shift of policy, the Zimbabwean government has reversed its previous stance on the issuance of land titles to new farmers. Previously, the government had refused to grant land titles to farmers who had been allocated land under the controversial land reform program initiated in 2000. This decision left many farmers in limbo, unable to secure loans or make long-term investments on their land. However, in a recent announcement, the government stated that it would now issue 99-year leases to new farmers, effectively granting them secure tenure over their land. This policy change comes as the government seeks to boost agricultural productivity and improve food security in the country. The issuance of land titles is expected to provide farmers with the confidence and security they need to invest in their land and expand production. It is hoped that this will lead to increased agricultural output, job creation, and economic growth. The decision to grant land titles has been welcomed by farmers and agricultural organizations. The Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) described the move as a “positive step” that will allow farmers to plan for the future and access credit. However, some critics argue that the government’s decision is too little, too late. They maintain that the lack of secure tenure over the past two decades has already discouraged many farmers from investing in their land, leading to a decline in agricultural production. Despite these concerns, the government’s U-turn on land titles is seen as a positive sign of its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector. It remains to be seen whether the issuance of land titles will be sufficient to revive Zimbabwe’s struggling agriculture industry, but it is a step in the right direction.

Zimbabwe’s government has stated that it will not issue title deeds for unserviced stands, including those in Epworth, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa had promised to distribute them before the August 2023 elections.

Although Mnangagwa pledged to provide more than 11,000 title deeds and delivered 265 securitized title deeds to Epworth before the election, the project appears to have stalled after the election, with only a few titles given to people with close ties to the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Minister of Housing and Social Services Zhemu Soda explained that the government, in partnership with the private sector, is working to regularize residential areas by ensuring that necessary services such as road infrastructure, water, and sewage systems are in place before issuing property titles.

Soda clarified that Mnangagwa did not distribute land titles during his campaign, but rather concession deeds, which are issued once key infrastructure developments are completed.

Critics argue that the government’s use of land as a campaign tool is the reason why 99-year leases have not been granted to beneficiaries of the land reform program, keeping them as long-term tenants.

.Zimbabwe Government Reverses Stance on Land Titles Harare, Zimbabwe – In a significant policy shift, the Zimbabwean government has announced that it will begin issuing land titles to resettled farmers. The move represents a complete reversal of the government’s previous position, which had held that resettled farmers could not own the land they farmed. The announcement was made by Lands and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka during a press conference in Harare. Masuka stated that the government had decided to issue titles in order to provide farmers with security of tenure and encourage investment in agriculture. “Issuing titles will give resettled farmers the confidence and legal backing to develop their land and increase productivity,” said Masuka. “This is a critical step in transforming our agriculture sector and ensuring food security for our nation.” The government’s decision comes after years of pressure from farmers and civil society organizations. Resettled farmers have argued that the lack of land titles has prevented them from accessing credit, investing in their farms, and securing their livelihoods. The Zimbabwean government has been under fire for its land reform program, which has been accused of corruption, violence, and economic disruption. The government has denied these allegations, but the new policy on land titles is seen as an attempt to address some of the concerns raised by critics. The move has been welcomed by farmers and experts alike. The Zimbabwe National Farmers Union (ZNFU) praised the government’s decision, saying it will provide farmers with much-needed legal protection. “This is a positive development that will empower resettled farmers and boost agricultural production,” said ZNFU president Shadreck Makombe. Analysts say that the issuance of land titles could have a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s economy. The agriculture sector is a major contributor to the country’s GDP, and securing land tenure is expected to encourage investment and increase productivity.