Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THE Government has reaffirmed its commitment to granting land ownership to war veterans, who fought for the country’s independence. This will be achieved by regularising the farm ownership of approximately 600 veterans, who lack formal title deeds.
Over 600 veterans occupy land without official documentation and the Government aims to rectify this by processing their title deeds through the Presidential Title Deeds Programme, by mid-May this year.
In 2023, President Mnangagwa introduced a Government policy to address the issue of title deeds in large, irregular settlements, ensuring protection for residents against land barons while empowering them with legal recognition and ownership rights. This initiative, known as the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme, promotes social equity and enhances the well-being of communities in informal settlements.
Speaking at an interactive meeting with Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, as well as heads of Government departments in Kwekwe last week, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, stressed the Government’s dedication to empowering war veterans.
He said the programme will grant war veterans full land ownership, enabling them to access financing and boost productivity.
“This initiative acknowledges the contributions of war veterans, providing them with a tangible reward for their sacrifices. By providing title deeds, the Government aims to empower war veterans and promote economic development in rural areas,” he said.
Minister Masuka further said securing title deeds is crucial for farmers to obtain loans and investments, ultimately improving their livelihoods and contributing to national economic growth.
“The Government’s policy position is that war veterans should not be disturbed. 632 war veterans are on land but without tenure documents and their documents should be processed by mid-next month. A total of 129 issues related to war veterans have also been resolved. We also discussed the Independence Celebrations, which are progressing well, and we have received a report that the Village Business Units have been established as planned,” he said.
Minister of War Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, Senator Monica Mavhunga, encouraged war veterans facing land-related challenges to visit the relevant offices for assistance.
“Our war veterans fought for our liberation and for the land we now have. Today, we received a report that many disputes related to war veterans have been resolved and those who still have issues must go to the relevant offices to check if their names are on the list,” she said.
Provincial Ministers, represented by host Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, commended the initiative and ongoing efforts to ensure the country attains upper-middle-income society status by 2030.
“I commend these monthly meetings and initiatives for strengthening, programming and co-ordinating strategies that will ensure an upper-middle-income society by 2030,” he said.
Aligned with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 for an upper-middle-income economy, the programme recognises title deeds as essential ownership documents. The President seeks to formalise land tenure and provide landholders with official documentation.
The programme also supports National Development Strategy 1, aiming to benefit over 1, 5 million people nationwide. Several ministries spearhead the initiative, including Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Local Government and Public Works; and National Housing and Social Amenities.
This effort represents a significant step towards land security and economic empowerment, ensuring that war veterans receive the recognition and stability they deserve.
