Sundaymail Editor
ZIMPAPERS Politics Hub Senior Reporter RICHARD MUPONDE recently interviewed National Housing and Social Amenities Minister ZHEMU SODA. They discussed a wide range of issues, including the Government’s efforts to solve the housing backlog, title deeds, civil servant housing and land barons. Below are excerpts from their conversation.
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Q: Could you begin by describing your experience in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities?
A: I was reassigned to the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities in April 2024. I oversee the implementation of policies that provide housing to Zimbabwean citizens, as mandated by Section 28 of the Constitution. This section states that the State and Government institutions must take measures to ensure Zimbabweans have shelter. We operate within available resources, but we don’t rely solely on the National Budget. We collaborate with various stakeholders to complement Government efforts. These stakeholders include commercial banks; building societies; pension and insurance schemes; and private developers, especially those in the diaspora.
They significantly impact the housing delivery sector. We also work with non-governmental organisations. The private sector is driving many ongoing developments, and we appreciate their participation. In addition to creating a conducive environment for investment, we also undertake our own projects to demonstrate best practices to the private sector.
Q: The last estimate placed the housing backlog at approximately 2 million units. Q: How much progress have you made in reducing this?
A: In 2020, when we enacted our National Human Settlements Policy, we determined a deficit of about two million housing units. Since then, significant progress has been made, primarily driven by the private sector.
The National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) initially targeted 220 000 completed housing units and fully serviced stands. In 2023, a mid-term review showed we had surpassed this target.
Consequently, the Government, through Cabinet, revised the target to one million housing units. By the end of 2024, our ministry’s assessment indicated we had achieved over 700 000 housing units, including completed houses and fully serviced stands in both urban and rural areas, adhering to ministry standards.
Q: How are you ensuring affordability given that some people’s low earnings make it difficult to obtain mortgages?
A: Our 2020 policy emphasises three key aspects: modernity, sustainability and affordability. To ensure affordability, we analyse housing cost structures, with land being a major driver. The new policy mandates densification, allowing a single plot to accommodate up to 16 or 20 units. This spreads land costs, reducing individual unit prices. We recently held a competitiveness summit to address cost structures in Zimbabwe. We discussed funding mechanisms to control input costs for construction materials like cement and steel. We believe reducing these costs will lower overall production costs. The Government is also streamlining compliance through the ease of doing business initiative, which should further reduce prices.
Q: Following up on that, has your ministry begun working with Government departments and agencies to improve the ease of doing business, as the President directed? If so, which agencies are involved?
A: Yes, we are actively engaging with various agencies. We are identifying areas that increase the cost of doing business, such as stand approval processes. Just two days ago, citizens complained about the lengthy approval times. This delay can lead to desperation and potential corruption. When approval takes too long, people may resort to offering bribes. We are reviewing the laws and timelines governing stand and design approvals to ensure they are observed, preventing desperation and corrupt practices. We are streamlining compliance requirements to reduce costs for citizens.
Q: The Government pledged to provide housing for civil servants as part of non-monetary incentives. Can you provide figures on the number of units delivered so far?
A: We have initiated and completed various projects to fulfil this commitment. Last year, we commissioned flats in Dzivaresekwa. We will soon complete four blocks of flats in Marondera, Dombotombo, targeting completion by the first quarter of 2025. We have built houses in Lupane and plan to do more, given its status as the Matabeleland North provincial capital. We aim to reduce the cost of commuting from Bulawayo for civil servants. We plan to construct houses in Siakobvu and are building flats in Mutawatawa for civil servants. The Crownlands project in Chinhoyi will provide over a thousand serviced stands for civil servants. We also have the Kasese project in Kariba. The list is extensive.
Q: There is a trend of “high densification” in affluent suburbs, with cluster homes being built on large stands. Residents complain about the impact on sewer, water and electricity systems. What is the Government’s view on this?
A: This densification is a strategy to reduce the housing backlog. The population is growing, and land is limited, so building vertically is necessary. While we have received complaints, this aligns with the 2020 National Human Settlements Policy, which allows densification.
Local authorities must ensure supporting services are adequate before approving such plans. This includes ensuring sufficient roads, water supply and sewer reticulation.
The President has called for local authorities to develop master plans, which will address these issues. The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is leading the development of the framework for these master plans, with our participation.
Q: You mentioned surpassing the 220 000 target and reaching over 700 000 units. When do you expect to achieve the 1 million target?
A: We are optimistic that we will achieve the one million target by the end of this year, which is the end of the National Development Strategy 1 period, from 2021 to 2025. Additionally, we are addressing the issue of land barons who illegally sell State land.
Q: What actions are you taking against land barons and how many cases have you dealt with?
A: We are raising public awareness to prevent citizens from being duped by land barons. We have apprehended known land barons, and some are facing court proceedings. We urge citizens to report to the police anyone pretending to own and sell land.
Anyone purchasing property should approach local authorities directly. All communal land vests with the President, and local authorities can be delegated to handle land issuances. The Government has imposed a moratorium on issuing development permits to prevent further land baron activities. We are currently focusing on regularising and sanitising existing settlements.
Q: Regarding regularisation, there were indications that about 65 000 title deeds could be issued in Epworth and Chitungwiza. How far has this process progressed, and when can these title deeds be issued?
A: It’s important to clarify that we are not issuing title deeds for houses built on land allocated by land barons. We are working with the Kwangu/Ngakwami Trust to mobilise resources for regularisation, including road construction and water and sewer system installations.
Once assessments confirm a settlement is suitable, title deeds will be issued. We have also begun issuing 21 000 title deeds for properties acquired through Government-enabled schemes. We are educating people to approach our district offices with required documents, including identity documents, proof of payment, lease agreements and sales agreements.
Our ministry prepares the files, which are then sent to the Deeds Office for issuance. Significant progress has been made in Epworth, where Kwangu/Ngakwami has established field offices. This process includes properties from Government schemes and those on State land allocated by councils. Issuing title deeds empowers citizens, improves security of tenure and increases property value.
Q: When do you expect to eliminate the two million housing backlog?
A: While we aim to achieve the one million target by the end of 2025, the backlog is a moving target. New families form daily, and people turn 18, creating new demand.
We are investing significant effort to meet this demand by establishing policies, laws and regulations, and creating a conducive investment environment. We encourage citizens to contact us through our WhatsApp number, Facebook and Instagram with any questions. We urge citizens to take title deeds seriously and to avoid intermediaries. We work directly with citizens and do not want them to lose their money to unscrupulous activities by land barons.
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