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Trust Freddy, Zimpapers Correspondent
CITIZENS who fail to validate their property documents within the prescribed 24-month deadline will not forfeit their ownership rights, as unvalidated paper deeds remain legally sound, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told Parliament.
Presenting a Ministerial Statement in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister Ziyambi said that while failure to validate does not invalidate ownership, unvalidated paper deeds will no longer be usable for formal transactions after the deadline, as the new Digital Land Administrative Platform (DLAP) becomes the sole authoritative register.
Minister Ziyambi allayed fears of property losses under the ongoing title deed validation exercise, setting the record straight on the legal status of existing title deeds.
The exercise, governed by Statutory Instrument 76 of 2025, requires all registered real estate across Zimbabwe—including urban freehold stands, sectional titles, and agricultural land—to be digitised into a verified central electronic database.
With approximately 11 months remaining before the July 2027 deadline, Minister Ziyambi put to rest public fears regarding potential land losses.
“Let me set the record straight and reassure the nation,” Minister Ziyambi said. “Failure to validate does not invalidate the title deed. It remains a fully legal title deed that simply needs to be taken through the validation process. No citizen will lose his or her property by failing to meet the deadline.”
He added that the Second Republic will formulate safety nets for property owners who miss the cutoff.
“Due consideration will be given to the issue when the time comes and appropriate, suitable policy options will be taken by the Government to assist affected citizens following the expiry of the prescribed validation period,” he said.
Minister Ziyambi, however, warned that unvalidated paper documents will eventually face administrative restrictions in formal economic transactions.
“Mr Speaker, make no mistake, Hon. Members, after the 24-month deadline expires, the new digital registry system becomes the sole authoritative record of title in Zimbabwe,” he stated. “Unvalidated old paper deeds will face derecognition in formal transactions, meaning they cannot be used to sell or transfer land.”
To preserve financial stability, Minister Ziyambi issued an explicit directive to commercial institutions.
“Therefore, I issue a direct statement-like directive to our banking sector, commercial asset managers, insurers and mortgage lenders to immediately audit your security and collateral portfolios,”
Minister Ziyambi said. “Ensure that paper deeds backing your mortgage bonds are systematically guided through validation.”
Addressing financial constraints, Minister Ziyambi announced a capped, all-inclusive fee of US$215 covering Deeds Registry fees, conveyancers’ professional charges, and VAT.
“I must stress that this prescribed fee is completely comprehensive and covers the entire process of validation… protecting the public from arbitrary overcharging,” he said.
“The Second Republic is a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. We are fully committed to ensuring that we leave no one and no place behind. Poverty must never be a security barrier.”
He revealed that state legal officers will step in to assist indigent citizens free of charge.
“If a citizen cannot afford a private conveyancer, the State will step in as their champion. To this end, the Ministry is actively training legal officers within the Legal Aid Directorate and the Office of the Attorney General,” Minister Ziyambi added.
