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Blessings Chidakwa, Herald Reporter
More than 1 000 people have benefited from the Presidential title deeds and regularisation programme in Epworth, Harare Metropolitan Province, with letters for another 9 000 beneficiaries already having been signed and awaiting issue.
The programme to provide homeowners with security in their properties is expanding to benefit an additional 10 000 people.
The title deeds mean the homeowners can now access finance for the major servicing of roads and other services.
President Mnangagwa launched the title deeds programme to secure property rights for homeowners in areas previously regarded as informal settlements.
The Government intends to issue more than 1,5 million title deeds countrywide this year.
Deputy Chief Registrar of Deeds, Mrs Elizabeth Nyagura, said all was going smoothly.
“The programme is progressing very well. We have so far issued 1 000 title deeds to help with the beneficiaries. As of now, we have more than 9 000 beneficiaries. We have already signed the new letters and are now awaiting the issue of title deeds,” she said.
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Mrs Nyagura said every deserving Zimbabwean occupying and de facto owning the regularised property will get title deeds as the project is on course nationwide.
“We are now working with two areas, priority areas, and we have also moved into Chitungwiza where we are also going to issue deeds to beneficiaries.
“At the present moment, we already have an office in Chitungwiza where we are uploading details of beneficiaries and also signing offer letters,” she said.
Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Nobert Mazungunye said the Government was working flat out to ensure that citizens are not messed up by land barons and other criminals during the process.
“As a Government, we are working flat out so that we protect citizens from land barons who are fleecing them of their money,” he said.
This was after Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe chairperson Mr Nico Kuipa raised concerns over the proliferation of bogus estate agents.
“We are having a serious challenge in our sector because land barons are taking advantage and fleecing unsuspecting people of their cash. So, we are appealing to the Government to make sure that these people are dealt with,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mazungunye said the real estate sector also has a role to play in ensuring citizens have a right to decent accommodation.
“The real estate sector is pivotal to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation, contributing significantly to job creation, infrastructure development, and overall economic growth. It generates many jobs across various sectors, including construction, property management, finance, legal services, and ancillary industries like retail and hospitality,” he said.
Moving with the times, Government has also introduced digitalised and securitised title deeds that are tear and water proof.
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