By Dumisani Ndlovu
The Zimbabwean government has halted the issuance of new 99-year leases, offer letters, and agricultural land permits. This move paves the way for a bankable, transferable, and more secure tenure document, according to Information Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere.
Zimbabwe’s land tenure system consists of freehold, State land, communal, and leasehold (resettlement) categories. The new document will replace existing 99-year leases, offer letters, and permits, providing enhanced security of tenure for beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme.
The new system offers numerous benefits over offer letters, primarily by providing bankability, allowing farmers to access loans and credit facilities to invest in their land and boost agricultural productivity. Additionally, the document enables transferability, permitting farmers to transfer land to family members or other indigenous Zimbabweans, ensuring flexibility and security.
The new document also guarantees security of tenure, protecting farmers from arbitrary land seizures and encouraging investment in infrastructure, irrigation systems, and other improvements. Furthermore, the system streamlines land management, reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency.
Priority will be given to veterans of the liberation struggle, youths, and women. The new tenure system excludes communal land under traditional chiefs’ jurisdiction and ensures land transfers only among indigenous Zimbabweans.
Urban land will be commercially available to approved developers, aiming to establish high-quality housing developments. Unused areas within cities will be prioritized for urban renewal and development.
These measures are expected to boost economic growth, unlock land value, and enhance the economy’s performance. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has established a Cabinet Oversight Committee and a technical Land Tenure Implementation Committee to oversee the reform process.
The new land tenure system is a significant step towards achieving Zimbabwe’s vision of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
