About 65,000 residents in Chitungwiza, Southlea Park, and Epworth will soon receive their long-awaited title deeds under the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme, a government official has said.
In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/chitown-southlea-park-epworth-title-deeds-ready">The Sunday Mail</a>, Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tavengwa said that over 4,500 title deeds are expected to be issued to beneficiaries in Epworth as early as this month.
He said in Chitungwiza and Southlea Park, dedicated field offices have been established to facilitate the processing of residents’ applications.
Residents can start their application process by reaching out via a WhatsApp chatbot at the number 0787 590 569. Said Tavengwa:
<blockquote>
Chitungwiza’s title deeds programme has transitioned from just being set up to implementation and rollout. There are over 55 000 longstanding municipal tenants in Chitungwiza, and issuance of their title deeds will commence this month.
Phase One of the programme in Southlea Park is targeting 9 600 beneficiaries and has been officially activated.
In Epworth, over 2 000 title deeds are in production and slated for issuance this month, while another 2 500 documents will soon be issued in Glenwood and Glenwood Extension (also in Epworth).
Since the launch of the programme, a lot of challenges had to be addressed. In most informal settlements, such as Epworth, authorities had to deal with issues of double allocations, outstanding surveys, inaccurate records and disinformation from land barons.
</blockquote>
Southlea Park is managed by the Order Housing Consortium, which is made up of 56 companies from both the public and private sectors.
According to the report, recently, the engineering designs for critical infrastructure, including water and sewerage reticulation, roads, and stormwater drainage, were completed.
Elijah Chifamba, an engineer who is overseeing the design process for Southlea Park, revealed that residents will soon have access to municipal water through the Water Demand Management Programme.
Under this initiative, designated water storage sites will be replenished weekly, ensuring a consistent and reliable water supply for the community. Added Chifamba:
<blockquote>
Engineering designs have been completed and are now awaiting submission to and approval by the City of Harare.
A new sewage treatment plant will be constructed at a site on the northern banks of the Manyame River, approximately eight kilometres from Southlea Park.
Engineering designs for a state-of-the-art plant that will use advanced wastewater treatment technology have been made and drawings are ready for submission.
The drawings of a major trunk sewer . . . that will be constructed in a planned trunk sewer corridor are also complete.
</blockquote>
He added that plans are also in progress to supply bulk water from the City of Harare’s existing water network.
This will be achieved through a 13km gravity-fed water main, which will channel water from the Lochinvar reservoirs to twin reservoirs in Hopley.

Pindula News

Around 65,000 people in Chitungwiza, Southlea Park, and Epworth will get their title deeds soon. In Epworth, 4,500 deeds will be given out this month. A special program is helping with the process. Challenges like double allocations and inaccurate records had to be solved. Infrastructure designs, like water and sewage systems, are being finished. Soon, residents will have access to municipal water. Plans are also in place to supply bulk water from the City of Harare. Overall, steps are being taken to improve living conditions for the residents.

"Chitungwiza, Epworth, And Southlea Park Title Deeds Ready For Issuance"

Statement by Ben Freeth, Spokesperson for SADC Tribunal Rights Watch, Zimbabwe, regarding the Zimbabwean government’s issuance of title deeds to holders of land expropriated from white commercial farmers:
<blockquote>
SADC Tribunal Rights Watch is concerned about the Zimbabwe government’s current plans, overseen by the highly controversial and US-sanctioned businessman, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, to issue “title deeds” for farms that already have legally issued title deeds owned by former white commercial farmers, small holders, members of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) whose properties were seized, and others.
These title deed owners have not been compensated for their land, despite having final and binding court judgments which confirm that such original title deeds are still bona fide.
At an event on President Mnangagwa’s Precabe farm near Kwekwe on Friday 20 December 2024, a handful of farmers, including Mnangagwa, received “title deeds” to the farms they are currently on.”
Such deeds fly in the face of international law and the Southern African Development Community’s SADC Treaty of 1992.
The final and binding judgement of the Southern African Development Community’s SADC Tribunal in the Campbell case, will render these new “title deeds” unbankable and, in the final analysis, worthless unless there is first a full and fair settlement with the owners of the original title deeds.
In 2008, the tribunal found for a group of Zimbabwean farmers on the basis that they were deprived of their land without the right of access to the courts and the right to a fair hearing, both of which are essential human rights.
In this way, the tribunal held that the Zimbabwe government breached the provisions in the SADC Treaty: Mike Campbell (Pvt) Ltd and Others v Republic of Zimbabwe (28 November 2008).
As is the case with the various and numerous attempts to issue new currencies in the Zimbabwean economy — there have been six attempts in 15 years to replace the US dollar as the primary currency — these new “title deeds” will become worthless.
We fully support any initiative to issue bona fide title deeds on farms that have been authentically bought by the Zimbabwe Government and in communal areas where Zimbabweans have never enjoyed the benefits that freehold title deeds accrue to their owners.
We applaud governments like the Rwandan government and others for their bold move to issue many millions of bona fide freehold title deeds to their people and thereby emancipate those people, creating wealth for them and the country from “thin air”.
We are convinced that this, along with the firm establishment of the rule of law, is the fundamental game changer which will allow Africa to overcome poverty.
As the president of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina pointed out in November 2023, “Our governments must realise their responsibility to lift people out of poverty and into wealth as quickly as possible.”
The current move by the Zimbabwe government to issue what have been described by some as “counterfeit title” will only create more confusion and stagnation in the agricultural economy and in Zimbabwe generally.
The Zimbabwe Government needs to return to the rule of law, re-establish justice systems, obey final and binding judgments such as the Campbell judgement in SADC Tribunal, and allow its people the freedom to develop by ensuring freehold title deeds are fully bankable and transferable to all Zimbabweans, irrespective of their political allegiance, tribe or race.
If this is done, the economy will grow exponentially in a dramatic and exciting way and investment will pour into the land of Zimbabwe, securing our status as a great African success story. 
</blockquote>

The Zimbabwe government is giving out new title deeds, but they are not real. People who already own the land legally are not being compensated. This goes against the law. The new title deeds are worthless and cannot be used in banks. The government needs to follow the law, issue real title deeds, and support the people to grow the economy. If they do this, Zimbabwe can become a successful country with lots of investment and opportunities for everyone.

"Zimbabwe Government’s Newly Issued 'Title deeds' Unbankable And Worthless"

Constitutional law expert Fadzayi Mahere has said the government cannot issue title deeds for farms that were seized and redistributed during the land reform programme without first amending the constitution, as doing so would be unlawful.
This follows the government’s recent appointment of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, chaired by Kudakwashe Tagwirei, to convert existing land ownership documents (such as 99-year leases) into bankable, registrable, and transferable titles.
The goal is to enable farmers to use their land as collateral to secure loans from financial institutions.
However, Mahere argued that, at present, no law empowers the state to issue title deeds for agricultural land. She expressed her views on social media:
<blockquote>
At law, there are only 3 methods by which one can hold, use or occupy state land. These are by way of an offer letter, a permit or a lease.
There is no law that empowers the state to give out title deeds for agricultural land. The Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act says this expressly.
Ownership in state land vests in the State by operation of law in terms of section 72(4) of the Constitution.
All the previously held title deeds for this land were endorsed accordingly. Check the Deeds Office.
How would you purport to undo all that and start issuing new title deeds? There’s no legal mechanism by which such conveyancing can validly take place.
In short, it would be unconstitutional to alienate the land in the manner suggested. You would have to repeal section 72 of the Constitution in its entirety and effectively reverse everything you were trying to do during the Land Reform Program.
You’d have to amend the Constitution to create this imagined security of tenure. Stop lying to yourselves and the public.
</blockquote>

The government cannot give out title deeds for farms without changing the constitution first, says Fadzayi Mahere. They appointed a committee to make existing land documents more valuable. Farmers could use their land as collateral for loans. But Mahere says there is no law to give out title deeds for agricultural land now. This would go against the constitution. They would have to change the Constitution completely to do this. Mahere says the government is not being honest about this.

Government Cannot Issue Title Deeds For Farms Without Constitutional Amendment - Mahere

Kudakwashe Tagwirei, chairperson of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, said the introduction of bankable title deeds for State-owned land will not result in financial institutions seizing large tracts of land or lead to a reversal of the Land Reform Programme.
Speaking on ZBCTV’s “Face the Nation” programme on Wednesday night, Tagwirei said it would be impossible for banks to confiscate land from beneficiaries of the agrarian reform who fail to repay loans extended under the scheme.
He also rejected claims that he would personally seize land from struggling or defaulting farmers, adding that the issuance of title deeds would indirectly address issues related to multiple farm ownership. Said Tagwirei:
<blockquote>
The land belongs to the Government, it does not belong to the bank. If you look at the total value of this land that we are talking about, the actual value is around US$20 billion. There is no bank that can give a mortgage for that land.
So what the banks are merely doing is administering the mortgage that this farmer is going to get (through Government) on that piece of land. The ultimate owner of this land still remains Government, it’s not the bank that owns it.
When the bank is ‘repossessing’ this land for whatever reason, maybe the farmer has failed to pay, remember that the owner is still the Government… ok? They (banks) will have to consult Government, obviously, when they are doing that process.
One of the things that you must understand is that these farmers are supposed to be commercial farmers, not subsistence farmers.
When you were applying to get that piece of land, you were saying I want to be a commercial farmer.
And the risks that are associated with being a commercial farmer are that you must make sure that you work the land so that you are able to pay back.
</blockquote>
Tagwirei said that because title deeds are allocated based on an individual’s unique national identification (ID) number, this system could help address public concerns about multiple farm ownership. He said:
<blockquote>
When an ID is given to an individual, to a citizen of this country, the ID is a unique identifier to an individual. When we are issuing title to a farmer, the main focus point is the ID number; we will issue it on the basis of that ID number.
When the bank repossesses this land — because a bank cannot take land — on behalf of Government, the bank cannot then own the land because they have no ID number.
</blockquote>
Tagwirei revealed that banks would solely administer a fund designed to, among other things, provide affordable financing to farmers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Banks cannot take land from farmers with title deeds, says Tagwirei. Title deeds will not lead to banks seizing land. The land still belongs to the government. Banks can only help farmers get loans with the land as security. Farmers must be commercial, not subsistence. Title deeds are linked to farmers' unique ID numbers to prevent multiple ownership. Banks will only manage a fund to help farmers get affordable loans. Farmers must work the land to pay back the loans. Tagwirei will not personally take land from farmers in trouble. Land is still government property, not the banks'.

Banks Can't Seize Land From Farmers With Title Deeds, Says Tagwirei

The government has issued 11,000 title deeds in Harare’s sprawling Epworth suburb since 2023, as part of an initiative to regularise informal settlements throughout the country, a Cabinet Minister has said.
In the lead-up to the August 2023 general elections, the ruling ZANU PF party committed to regularising over 80,000 illegal settlements where tenants faced the risk of having their homes demolished.
To support this effort, the Cabinet endorsed the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme Consortium, which aims to provide the necessary financial and technical assistance for the issuance of these titles.
On Wednesday, during a session in the National Assembly, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka, who was acting as the leader of government business in Parliament, addressed parliamentarians regarding the progress made in the regularisation exercise. He stated (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200034355/zanu-pf-title-deed-bait-misfires">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The regularisation of such stands is important and the issue of human dignity should be addressed. In Epworth, there are a few people who were given title deeds, but we were told in the meeting that we held recently that there are 11,000 title deeds which have been distributed and that the team is now going to Caledonia and other new residential suburbs.
</blockquote>
Masuka said authorities need to understand why settlers were receiving eviction notices despite the government’s commitment to regularising illegal settlements.
According to government reports, the Harare Metropolitan Province contains approximately 52,000 houses constructed in illegal settlements, with 25,000 of these structures located in Chitungwiza as of 2023.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government gave titles to 11,000 people in Epworth suburb to make their homes legal. ZANU PF party wants to legalize 80,000 settlements before elections. The government is helping with money and support for this program. The Minister talked about the progress in Parliament. They are giving out more titles in new areas too. They want to know why people are still getting eviction notices. Many houses in Harare are illegal, so they are working to make them legal. It's important for people to have titles to their homes for dignity.

"11 000 Epworth Residents Receive Title Deeds"

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to regularising informal settlements nationwide by providing settlers with land titles and access to essential services.
Shingirayi Mushamba, Chief Director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said that while some informal structures will be removed to facilitate the provision of essential services, the majority will remain intact.
Mushamba made these remarks during the recent annual general meeting of the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP) in Harare. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200032381/govt-commits-to-regularise-informal-settlements">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
Regularisation including the issuance of proper title. The processes of regularisation require that there be an approved layout plan, approved by a respective local authority working in partnership with government entities.
Once a layout plan is in place, it provides for roads, for future servicing of the land. So what we will be doing essentially in those settlements, we will be looking at the structures that are on the ground, insofar as they fit in a pre-approved layout plan.
Some structures may be held on land which was reserved for certain particular uses. Efforts will be made to relocate those few structures that will be in such spaces. The majority will be regularised in situ.
Regularisation is then going to culminate in a partnership working with an entity called FANGU, which will then bring in services.
That is part of the process that will lead to the issuance of a title so conditions of urban settlement still be maintained.
</blockquote>
Thousands of people across the country reside in informal settlements, primarily located on peri-urban land, where they frequently pay for services that are never delivered.
Many of these desperate home seekers purchase land from politically connected land barons who often operate with impunity, seemingly beyond the reach of the law.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government wants to give people living in informal settlements land titles and services like roads and water.
They may remove some structures to make space for these services but most will stay.
People in informal settlements often pay for services they never get.
Some people buy land from powerful people who break the rules.
The government is working with a group called FANGU to provide services and give people land titles.

Government Reaffirms Commitment To Regularise Informal Settlements

The government has stated that it will not issue title deeds for unserviced stands, including those in Epworth, Harare, despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s promise to do so ahead of the August 2023 harmonized elections, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200028236/govt-makes-u-turn-on-title-deeds">NewsDay</a>.
Mnangagwa pledged to issue more than 11,000 title deeds to Epworth residents a month before the polls.
The Cabinet then endorsed the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme Consortium, a programme expected to provide the financial and technical support required for the issuance of the title deeds.
Mnangagwa later handed out 265 securitised title deeds to selected Epworth residents when he launched the programme at Epworth High School.
On Wednesday, some members of the National Assembly asked Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda to explain the government’s position on the issuance of title deeds in urban areas. Said Soda:
<blockquote>
The ministry, in partnership with the private sector, is working to ensure that allocated stands that are yet to be serviced are regularised through the user principle.
The beneficiaries in those areas are expected to pay for certain services to ensure that the road infrastructure, water and sewage reticulation are in place. Without proper servicing of these stands, the government cannot issue title deeds.
This is what the government is trying to regularise so that this leads to the occupants receiving title deeds to use as collateral for loans…
We would want to ensure that the settlement is good and people can be given deeds for occupancy of such an area.
</blockquote>
Critics accuse ZANU PF of using land as a campaign tool ahead of elections and then forget about its promises once victory has been achieved.
Notably, the ZANU PF-led government has been reluctant to give 99-year leases to beneficiaries of the land reform programme, making them perennial tenants on the land they are occupying.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Government Reneges On Title Deeds Pledge

100 000 title deeds will soon be issued to homeowners in Chitungwiza, Southlea Park and Epworth under the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme, a Government official has said.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/100-000-title-deeds-ready-for-issuance">The Sunday Mail</a>, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Vimbai Nyemba said overall, the Government is targeting to issue title deeds to more than 1.5 million homeowners under the initiative over the next few years. She said:
<blockquote>
Almost every local authority has a long waiting list of citizens who need title deeds. The Government is expected to issue 18,000 in Epworth, where homeowners have received offer letters from the local authority.
Also, at least 55,000 deeds are expected to be issued in Chitungwiza for long-standing municipal tenants, and 9,000 deeds will be issued in Southlea Park after the provision of services and the obtainment of a certificate of compliance.
Additionally, the Government will issue 21,000 deeds for the Government-enabled housing programme nationwide under the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities.
So far, 1,000 deeds have been issued and 18,000 offer letters are ready for issuance.
</blockquote>
Nyemba said a task force chaired by the Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs was established to oversee the programme.
She added that the Government was developing a digital land administration system, which would enable the issuance of securitised title deeds. Said Nyemba:
<blockquote>
Currently, securitised papers sufficient for 200,000 digital title deeds have been procured and are in stock.
The securitised paper has high-security features and cannot be tampered with or replicated.
The system that processes the title deeds is built on blockchain technology, providing an additional layer of security.
We foresee a sharp decline in deeds-related disputes, including fraudulently acquired title deeds.
This is so because the securitised paper, together with the automated system, prevents replication or counterfeiting of deeds…
Phase two of the project will involve title deed validation of all existing titles to verify their authenticity and reprint them on securitised paper.
</blockquote>
Nyemba said the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme is to benefit all informal settlements that are targeted to be regularised, all long-standing municipality tenants, beneficiaries of Government-enabled housing under the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, and rural business growth points.
To acquire the title deed, the homeowner is required to produce:
<ul>
<li>an original copy of their offer letter,</li>
<li>a copy of the agreement of sale,</li>
<li>a cessation document where applicable,</li>
<li>relevant documents in case of deceased estates</li>
<li>proof of payments of the purchase price and related costs</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

100 000 Title Deeds To Be Issued In Epworth, Chitungwiza And Southlea Park - Government

Thousands of Epworth residents are still waiting for title deeds that were promised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the August 2023 harmonised elections.
A month before the elections, Mnangagwa promised to deliver 11 000 title deeds to Epworth residents, and Cabinet subsequently endorsed the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme which was expected to provide the financial and technical support required for the issuance of the title deeds.
Mnangagwa even handed out 265 securitised title deeds to Epworth residents and promised to bring more when he launched the programme at Epworth High School.
However, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200027536/zanu-pf-title-deed-bait-fails-to-materialise">NewsDay</a> has learnt that only a few ZANU PF activists were handpicked to receive the title deeds amid indications that the government has “forgotten” about the project. Said a source:
<blockquote>
Only a few were issued, those with close ties to ZANU PF. Land barons led by John Mabwe (co-ordinator and spokesperson for Kushinga Epworth Residents Trust) and Moyo are holding Epworth Local Board at ransom contesting the authenticity of the layout plans and general plans of Epworth… the surveyor general up to now is sleeping on duty.
</blockquote>
Mabwe said the layout plan did not correspond with a map that was made in 2001 when squatters received occupiers’ cards. He said:
<blockquote>
The layout plan that was used does not match the map. We have simply challenged this. A lot of elderly widows and orphans were left out of the 2022 layout plan which was not even approved by the Surveyor-General.
We want title deeds as early as yesterday but we want the right procedure to be followed and the right people to benefit.
In Ward 6 (Overspill Extension), the council pegged stands using a fake layout plan of Plan number H.O.F 8 and increased them from 3 856 to 3 904 to benefit some council officials (sic).
So the regularisation process is very scandalous. Council is doing what the High Court interdicted. That’s contempt of court.
</blockquote>
Epworth Town secretary Wilton Mhanda refused to comment to NewsDay on the matter.
Epworth North legislator Zivai Mhetu said residents had received deeds of grant, not title deeds. He explained:
<blockquote>
There is a difference between a deed of grant and a title deed. Development has to take place first, for instance, the installation of roads, among others.
When this happens, Epworth residents will be able to receive title deeds in both paper and digital form. Hence, I will be lobbying Parliament for the construction of roads in Epworth.
</blockquote>
A title deed is a legal document that provides proof of ownership over the property, real estate, and sometimes vehicles. It establishes ownership rights and serves as evidence of ownership.
A grant deed, on the other hand, is used to indicate the transfer of property or real estate from one party to another. Unlike a title deed, a grant deed does not necessarily provide proof of ownership.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Government Keeps Epworth Residents Waiting For 11 000 Title Deeds

In a recent ruling by the High Court in Masvingo, it was determined that a married spouse without title deeds does not have the authority to evict their spouse’s lover from the matrimonial home.
Justices Garainesu Mawadze and Sunsley Zisengwe granted the appeal, with Justice Zisengwe delivering the judgment. He stated that a spouse without legal ownership can only seek damages and lacks the legal standing to evict their spouse’s lover. Justice Zisengwe expressed dissatisfaction with the current law, as it undermines women’s rights and contradicts the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Zimbabwe has ratified. Zisengwe said:
<blockquote>
I find the proposition that a husband is at liberty to bring live-in girlfriends into the matrimonial home with impunity is inimical to the principle of equality between the sexes and appears to be providing a right carte-blanche to men to bring into the matrimonial home live-in mistresses.
Not only does that offend the express provisions of the Constitution as aforesaid, but also runs contrary to the ideal spouse in the CEDAW which Zimbabwe has ratified. A married woman should not be placed in the invidious and inequitable position where she is compelled to choose between continuing with the marriage and endure this kind of severe emotional abuse or simply get a divorce.
Alongside a claim for adultery damages against a paramour and an action for divorce against the husband, a married woman should also have recourse by way of eviction against a woman who literally hops into the matrimonial bed with her husband. Regrettably respondent’s claim for an order interdicting the 1st appellant from continuing with her adulterous relationship with the 2nd appellant somehow fell by the wayside and ultimately was not an issue for determination in this appeal.
</blockquote>
He emphasized that women in monogamous marriages should have the right to initiate eviction proceedings against their spouse’s lovers to protect the sanctity of their marriages.
<h3>Some context:</h3>
In 2021, Jane Musindo (42) was granted an appeal after being evicted from the Kereke homestead by Mbuya Leocadia Kereke nee Muroiwa (74). Leocadia and her boyfriend, Sekuru Augustine Tongai Kereke (83), were the appellants in the appeal. Sekuru Kereke claimed that Musindo is his second wife and cares for him more than his wife of 56 years. The ruling confirmed their open adulterous relationship, with Justice Zisengwe referring to Leocadia as Sekuru Kereke’s mistress. The High Court ruled that Mbuya Kereke does not own the homestead, so she lacks the legal authority to evict Leocadia, despite their marriage under the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11] in 1966. Mbuya Kereke can only seek damages.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

High Court Rules That A Married Spouse Without Title Deeds Can't Evict Their Spouse's Lover

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader, <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Nelson Chamisa, has</a> reassured resettled farmers that his party would not take land from them. Instead, if he wins the August 23 election, he plans to give them title deeds. The announcement comes amidst allegations that the party intends to take back land and give it to former white farmers.
Speaking during the CCC’s 2023 campaign launch in Gweru on Sunday, Chamisa emphasised that those who were removed from their farms must be given back their land. He refuted claims that the party intends to take land from resettled farmers, saying that they plan to give <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">title deeds</a> to the farmers instead of the <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">ZANU PF</a> party cards they were given.
Chamisa stressed that resettled farmers should not be removed from their land and should have rights, unlike the situation in Chilonga, Dinde, and Mutoko where resources, including land, are being given to outsiders. He said:
<blockquote>
Hatisi kuuya kuzopatsanura nyika. Vamwe vanoti akauya vakagara kuminda muri kutorerwa minda, Kwete! musanyeberwa. Mukomana paanopinda ari kuuya kuzokupa Title Deed kuti pawakagara pasava neTile deed yeCard remusangano. Unofanira kuti pawakagara usabviswa, pawakagara unofanira kuva nekodzero kwete zviri kuitwa kunana Chilonga, kwete zviri kuitwa kunana Dinde, kwete zviri kuitwa kwaMutoko kuti resource yamakapiwa naMwari inotorwa nevekunze imi hamuna chamunowana… We want to correct that. Resources for everyone, land for everyone. Vanhu vawane maOpportunity neDignity munyika mavo… Nyaya yeLand is an important point. Wese akabviswa paLand anofanira kudzorerwa, totangira ipapo.
translation:
[Our intention is not to divide the nation. There have been claims that I will seize land from resettled farmers if elected, but this is an unfounded allegation. The Youngman will give <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">title deeds</a> to those who were previously issued with ZANU PF party membership cards. It is imperative that individuals are not evicted from their land and that their rights are protected, especially in light of recent events in Chilonga, Dinde, and Mutoko where resources, including land, have been granted to non-residents. Our objective is to address this issue by ensuring that resources, including land, are accessible to all citizens. We aim to provide every individual with <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">equal opportunities</a> and dignity within their country. The issue of land is of great importance, and we believe that the reinstatement of those who were previously displaced from their land is the first step towards achieving this goal.]
</blockquote>
Watch the video below for more.
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="357" id="video-260706-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CHAMISA-LAND-REFORM.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CHAMISA-LAND-REFORM.mp4">https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CHAMISA-LAND-REFORM.mp4</a></video></div>
Last year, the <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">High Court</a> granted President Emmerson Mnangagwa the authority to relocate approximately 12,000 villagers in the Chilonga region to facilitate the establishment of a lucerne project by Dendairy, a Zimbabwean dairy firm. Livison Chikutu, a village head under Chief Chilonga, was taken into custody for inciting violence at the chief’s residence in April of last year after instigating villagers to demonstrate against the eviction. He was subsequently acquitted by a Chiredzi magistrate. During a visit by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga in 2020, the villagers even staged a protest. Shangaan locals have vowed to resist any form of government intimidation or interference and remain steadfast in their decision not to relocate from their ancestral lands.
<h3>The land issue in Zimbabwe</h3>
Land has been a significant issue in <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Zimbabwean politics</a> for many years. The country’s <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">colonial history</a> saw most of the productive land taken away from black people and given to white settlers. This led to a long-standing struggle for land ownership and redistribution, which became a central issue in <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Zimbabwe</a>‘s fight for independence.
After independence, the government implemented a <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">land reform policy</a> to address the imbalance, but it failed. In 2000, the fast-track <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">land reform program</a> was implemented, which forcibly evicted white farmers and redistributed land to black Zimbabweans. The program has been controversial, with critics arguing that it was implemented without <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">due process</a> and resulted in economic instability. Supporters argue that it was necessary to address historical injustices and promote economic empowerment.
The issue of land ownership and redistribution remains a key issue in Zimbabwean politics, with different political parties using it to gain support among different constituencies.
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What Chamisa Said About Title Deeds, Giving Back Land To Former Owners

ZANU PF is offering title deeds to around 1.3 million people before this year’s elections, a move the ruling party says is aimed at shutting down land barons.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently issued 265 deeds of grant to Epworth residents. ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa told NewsDay yesterday that they had identified the owners of the properties. He said:
<blockquote>
We now have a system that creates title deeds. We are targeting to issue a prospective 1,3 million title deeds before elections. The houses have been built by developers and owners of the properties and they have been physically identified.
What is only left with is the regulatory framework which is the most painstaking process because we can’t make a mistake with a title deed because it is a document which can be passed from a generation to a generation and people can now apply for loans at the banks because of the title deeds.
Issuing the title deeds to the Zimbabweans is a blow to the land barons because they are the ones who were causing confusion in the parcelling of land and causing evictions.
</blockquote>
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya expressed skepticism about Zanu PF fulfilling their promise, saying that similar promises have been made before elections in the past. He added:
<blockquote>
However, as long as the surveying, boundaries are done and properties don’t violate environmental and other development laws, it can be done if they are genuine.
</blockquote>
ZANU PF has been accused of making empty promises towards elections.
In Zimbabwe, the issue of land barons is a significant concern, particularly in the lead-up to elections. Land barons are often connected to powerful political figures, and their activities have been linked to corruption and the abuse of power. 
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We're Targeting To Issue 1.3 Million Title Deeds Before Elections - ZANU PF

A Harare man was on Saturday whisked away by state security agents after he tried to confront President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Epworth.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200010574/harare-man-breaches-ed-security">The Standard</a>, the incident occurred as Mnangagwa was delivering a speech at the launch of the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme in the dormitory settlement.
As the President was delivering his speech, a young man raced to the stage to confront Mnangagwa but was stopped by State security agents a few metres away.
He was then taken behind a VVIP tent where he was beaten up.
At the event, Mnangagwa handed over 265 title deeds to residents and promised them that more were coming. He said:
<blockquote>
The regularisation of this settlement is a mammoth development project which must be collective in nature.
Every individual and household effort, skills and contribution counts. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’.
Let us remain focused, united and determined to see the success of this project.
We must transform Epworth and other human settlements while ensuring that benefiting households enjoy the real value of their properties and environments.
</blockquote>
The Government says the 11 200 title deeds that are ready for Epworth residents are part of the targeted 38 000 for the sprawling suburb.
Thousands of ZANU PF supporters were bussed to the venue from various parts of Harare to attend the event.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Harare Man Breaches Mnangagwa Security At Epworth Event

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said all households in Epworth, Harare will eventually get title deeds for their properties.
Title deeds are legal documents that demonstrate ownership or title to a particular piece of property.
They are important for establishing a clear title to the property and can be used as evidence in disputes over ownership or boundaries.
The <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/all-households-to-get-title-deeds-president/">Sunday News</a> reported that on Saturday, 22 April, more than 265 title deeds were handed over to property owners in Epworth, with 11 000 more already processed.
The title deeds were handed over to residents by Mnangagwa at the launch of the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme at Epworth High School.
Speaking at the event, Mnangagwa said the documents will provide security tenure for beneficiaries and protect them from land barons. He said:
<blockquote>
The programme is one of the many responsive interventions by the Second Republic to improve the quality of life and livelihoods of our citizens.
The title deeds being issued today are an important empowerment tool and a legal document that gives beneficiaries several rights, which include ownership and security of tenure, and disposal and transfer of ownership from one person to another.
The title deeds also outline the land boundaries of the property and other related conditions.
I, therefore, call upon all the families being issued with title deeds to keep the documents in a safe and secure place.
The process of producing title deeds is very thorough and involves various ministries, agencies and departments working together under the Whole-of-Government approach.
This guarantees the security of the final title deeds and protects against counterfeit or fake documents.
The days when people would lose their hard-earned savings to unscrupulous merchants and land barons who sell land without any documentation are now behind us.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa said the programme was going to be rolled out in all the country’s 10 provinces. He said:
<blockquote>
Following today’s historic milestone, the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme is set to be rolled out to other provinces.
This event demonstrates that we have the political will and technical skills to deliver while sufficient resources are and available to support this exercise.
No one and no place or suburb or township will be left behind. Together, let us continue to build smart, sustainable and orderly human settlements.
</blockquote>
He said a master plan which outlines the location of schools, clinics, hospitals, commercial and industrial sites has been developed for regularisation of suburb.
The President said the second phase will involve servicing of land, construction of roads, improvement of electricity and bulk water supply infrastructure, as well as modern sewer and waste management facilities.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

All Epworth Households To Get Title Deeds - Mnangagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was on Saturday expected to personally hand over title deeds to 350 Epworth households during the launch of the title deeds and settlement regularisation programme.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/title-deeds-roll-out-brings-joy-to-epworth/">The Herald</a> on Friday, Epworth Member of Parliament (MP), Zalerah Makari, said an inter-ministerial task force is heading the programme. She said:
<blockquote>
The President is true to his word and I am glad that he will deliver the main thing we requested from him during our campaign.
Shelter is a necessity so the people are excited and personally, I am humbled that the President would remember a forgotten dormitory township like Epworth.
He (President Mnangagwa) will be issuing title deeds to about 350 families tomorrow (today).
It is an ongoing programme as people qualify and regularisation takes place, people will be going to sign for these title deeds.
The mood is electric, and people are excited, the naysayers said this would not happen, it is a political gimmick but were are now getting title deeds in Epworth which is a great milestone.
</blockquote>
Some of the Epworth residents expected to receive title deeds today are Phillip Mbai Mbai, Maria Tom and Olivia Takavarasha.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

350 Epworth Families Set To Receive Title Deeds

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will on Saturday, 22 April, personally issue title deeds to Epworth residents as he launches the title deeds and settlement regularisation programme.
This was said by ZANU PF chairman for Harare Province Godwills Masimirembwa.
He was speaking to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/epworth-residents-to-get-title-deeds-this-saturday/">The Herald</a> on Wednesday after a Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting. Said Masimirembwa:
<blockquote>
This was a very important PCC. President Mnangagwa is on Saturday launching the title deeds and regularisation programme in Harare Metropolitan Province.
So on Saturday at Epworth Secondary School the President will launch this programme where title deeds are going to be issued to families in Epworth as a starting point.
It is a continuing programme not everyone will get title deeds but the President will launch by actually handing over title deeds to a number of families in Epworth.
At a technical level the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs is handling this programme belongs to them. Title deeds are issued under the deeds office which falls under the Ministry.
We as the beneficiaries and recipients of the President’s good works are mobilising the people of Harare to attend this momentous and historic occasion in huge numbers.
</blockquote>
Title deeds are legal documents that demonstrate ownership or title to a particular piece of property.
They are important for establishing a clear title to the property and can be used as evidence in disputes over ownership or boundaries.
Epworth is a largely informal settlement situated to the southeast of Harare where thousands of families have no title deeds to their properties.
For years, Epworth residents have fallen victim to land barons. Residents also face a number of challenges including inadequate access to water and sanitation, poor road infrastructure, and limited economic opportunities.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ED To Hand Over Tittle Deeds To Epworth Families - Masimirembwa

Harare East MP, Tendai Biti (CCC), has said the government must give war veterans title deeds of farms they acquired during the Land Reform Programme, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/whites-commercial-interests-dominating-zimbabwe-says-biti-urges-govt-to-give-war-vets-farms-title-deeds/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
Biti said the majority of war veterans are wallowing in poverty and have nothing to show for their contribution to the country’s liberation.
Debating in the National Assembly on Thursday, Biti argued that the ex-combatants should not be given offer letters which have no security. He said:
<blockquote>
The first thing we need to do is to give title deeds to war veterans of the farms that they acquired. You cannot make them subject to the offer letter.
The greatest service we can do to war veterans, number one is to give them title deeds to the farms that they benefitted from as a result of the Land Reform Programme.
The offer letter is non-securitised and in breach of Chapter 16 of the Constitution. The offer letter, just like their constituencies, can go just like the wind – bhururu bhururu, yabhururuka seshiri.
</blockquote>
When Biti said war veterans’ “constituencies, can go just like the wind”, he was referring to Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba who led the farm invasions in 2000 and recently lost his constituency in the ZANU PF primaries. He added:
<blockquote>
Let us give them security of tenure kuti chanoti chandakarwirawo ndechichi. Chandinosiirawo vazukuru vangu ndechichi, that land and if we say the basis of the Land Reform Programme was the land, then the basis of the reward of the war veteran must be the land.
That should be the starting point. Why are we afraid to give war collaborators the land? Let us give them title deeds.
Land was the basis of the liberation struggle and hence ownership of it is deemed to have the potential of socially and economically empower veterans and their dependents.
</blockquote>
Around the year 2000, Zimbabwe embarked on a fast-track land reform programme which was largely violent in nature.
Vast tracks of land were seized from white farmers and parcelled among landless black families.
However, the chaotic nature of the programme has been blamed for Zimbabwe’s economic challenges as production on farms collapsed and western countries imposed sanctions on the country.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009522/ed-demands-re-run-in-violence-hotspots">Pindula News</a>

Biti Challenges Govt To Give War Veterans Title Deeds For Farms

Residents of Epworth and Eastview, among other informal settlements, should not expect to get title deeds anytime soon after a Cabinet minister said the regularisation of such settlements takes time.
In February, President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised to issue 80 000 title deeds ahead of the March by-elections, a development that critics said was a campaign gimmick.
Last week, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe said that the issuance of title deeds is not an event but a process. He said:
<blockquote>
People are misunderstanding the issuance of title deeds as an event. It’s not an event, it’s a process.
In the context of Zimbabwe, the issuance of title deeds is two-fold: The first one is an area such as this one where the settlement has been properly planned, roads constructed, water, sewer and everything.
The other one is that we are now looking at informal settlements like Epworth, Caledonia (Eastview) in Goromonzi. This land was invaded by land barons.
It was not transferred from the Lands ministry to the Local Government ministry. That process is now taking place.
You can’t just come and give a person a paper without a description of the property.
So, the process gives rise to the creation of the proper description which appears on the title deed.
The regularisation process is part of the title deeds issuance process.
</blockquote>
Kushinga Epworth Residents Trust co-ordinator John Mabwe told NewsDay that the regularisation exercise was mired in corruption.
Epworth Residents Development Association secretary Peter Nyapetwa said the ruling ZANU PF party was using the issues of title deeds to gain political mileage ahead of the 2023 general elections. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005001/government-backtracks-on-title-deeds">NewsDay</a>

Issuance Of Title Deeds Takes Time, Says Housing Minister

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ziyambi_Ziyambi">Ziyambi Ziyambi</a> has said the process of issuing title deeds to Epworth residents is proving to be complex hence the delays. 
He told Parliament on Wednesday during the question and answer session:
<blockquote>
We thought it was easy to issue title deeds but there are some issues that need due diligence so that we do not give title deeds to people who are not deserving.
We have a committee which is moving around. At the moment we have identified 6000 households in Epworth.
</blockquote>
He added that the verification and review process was cumbersome but the government was doing its best, according to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zanu-pf-exposed-as-government-backtracks-on-title-deeds/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
He was responding to a question from Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Mufakose MP <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Susan_Matsunga">Susan Matsunga</a> who had asked why owners of mostly old suburbs such as Mufakose, Highfield, Glen View, Tafara and Mabvuku had no title deeds for their occupied houses yet council continued to demand payments for the properties which were built in the 1960s.
Ziyambi blamed the City of Harare for the failure of procedures leading to the government resolving to plan a new programme to be considered in every urban location.
He said the government would fund the processing of title deeds, such as surveys and plans and the verification process of the identities of the title deed holders.
Chegutu West MP <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Dexter_Nduna">Dexter Nduna</a> urged the government to fast-track the processes alleging councillors and council officials were busy taking over houses from those that would have passed on. 
In the run-up to the 26 March by-elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised Title Deeds to Epworth residents, a move that was viewed as vote-buying by critics.
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