malvernmugadzikwa
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
THE Chitungwiza Town Council plans to roll out the Presidential Title Deeds Programme soon following a resolution by the local authority to finalise a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Kwangu/Ngakwami Trust, which is facilitating the initiative.
The chairperson of the council’s business development committee, Councillor Agatha Mujati, said title deeds would address several challenges they have been facing.
“Our filing system is not in order. They (Kwangu/Ngakwami Trust) are willing to assist us as a council because we don’t have the equipment. So, they said they will give us equipment. At the moment, we just have two scanners, so it is taking time to digitise the information,” Cllr Mujati recently told a full council meeting.
“They will come to operate from here while assisting us so that when they get to the issuance of title deeds, the system will be digitalised. That is where the issue of access to our files comes into play.”
As part of its resolutions, the town clerk and his management were tasked with finalising the draft MOA before sharing it with the concerned parties within seven days.
Ward 16 Cllr Michael Mukashi said elderly people in Chitungwiza were concerned about the fate of their properties, which have had no title deeds for decades.
“I have met elderly people who ask me if we want them to die without title deeds. It shows that it is a critical issue,” he said.
“Title deeds are difficult to attain. Some of those who have title deeds have to privately engage lawyers, which is expensive.
“So, we thought that when you have an opportunity for such a facility to assist not only the elderly but also residents; not only residents but also council, it’s important to take it. As we speak, council has 110 properties and I am told only 10 have title deeds,” he added.
During the meeting, residents voiced concerns over the lack of title deeds for their homes.
Zimbabwe Old People’s Association coordinator Mr Paddington Chaparadza said: “Houses end up being sold or files disappear in fraudulent ways here at council offices, so it will be good for us if the digital system is introduced and residents get title deeds at a cheaper fee.”
The Government and Kwangu/Ngakwami Trust signed an agreement to pave the way for the rollout of title deeds to about 1, 5 million people countrywide.
The Presidential Title Deeds Programme was launched in Epworth last year, where President Mnangagwa handed over title deeds to dozens of homeowners.
Online Reporter