Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s push to decentralise the issuance of land title deeds is gaining momentum, with over 2,500 deeds now ready for processing, government officials announced at a stakeholder dialogue held in Harare yesterday.
The high-level meeting was convened to unpack the New Title Deed Policy, a key part of the national Land Tenure Implementation Programme. The event brought together senior government officials, financial institutions, civil society representatives, and special interest groups, with a particular focus on ensuring vulnerable communities including war veterans, children of national heroes, and widows are not left behind.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairperson of the Stakeholder Subcommittee on Land Tenure, Happison Muchechetere, confirmed that decentralised centres for title deed issuance are being established across the country. These “one-stop” centres will house representatives from government departments and banks to streamline land ownership processes and improve service delivery.
“We are now processing over 2,500 title deeds, and more decentralised centres will be opened in the coming weeks. This is a clear step towards fulfilling the President’s vision of empowering landholders by bringing services closer to the people,” said Muchechetere.
The new policy is part of a broader strategy to regularise land tenure, enhance ownership security, and unlock the economic potential of land by enabling beneficiaries to access credit and invest in land-based projects.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, urged financial institutions to align their services with the new framework, particularly by supporting historically disadvantaged groups.
“This programme places special emphasis on war veterans and descendants of fallen heroes. Financial institutions must take this context into account and provide inclusive, accessible credit and support,” said Jiri.
Representing the Children of National Heroes, Bellinda Cele welcomed the decentralisation efforts and encouraged continued collaboration with stakeholders.
“We aim to preserve our parents’ legacy by securing rightful access to land. This policy is a positive step forward, and we are committed to working with government to ensure no beneficiary is left behind,” she said.
The decentralisation of title deed services is expected to improve transparency, reduce bureaucratic delays, and ensure equitable access to land documentation, all critical for enhancing land security and economic development.
Launched under the Second Republic’s agenda, the Title Deed Policy is central to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s drive to resolve longstanding land tenure issues, empower citizens, and promote inclusive, land-based investment.
