Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has directed that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the sale of State land in urban areas across all 10 provinces since 2005 be made public.
The directive was issued through General Notice 608 of 2026, published in the Government Gazette by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya.
“It is hereby notified that His Excellency, the President, in terms of section 62 of the Constitution, has directed the publication of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Matter of Sale of State land in and around Urban Areas since 2025,” reads the notice.
The inquiry covered land sales in Harare Metropolitan, Bulawayo Metropolitan, as well as Matabeleland and Mashonaland East provinces. Investigations were also carried out in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Midlands and Manicaland provinces.
President Mnangagwa further directed that reports on investigations into the sale of urban State land in Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces be published.
The Commission, appointed in 2018, was chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena. President Mnangagwa established the Commission following the proliferation of illegal settlements in most urban areas, many of which were created through the unlawful sale of State land by land barons.
The Commission was promulgated through Statutory Instrument 11 of 2018, which amended Statutory Instrument 102 of 2017 that had initially established a Commission of Inquiry into the sale of State land in and around urban areas since 2005.
The Justice Uchena Commission was tasked with investigating and identifying all State land in and around urban areas that had been acquired and allocated to the then Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for urban development since 2005.
It was also mandated to examine and determine the status of such land in terms of ownership, occupation and development, as well as to investigate the methods of acquisition and/or allocation by current occupants and owners.
In addition, the Commission was instructed to identify parties involved in the allocation, occupation and use of such land. It conducted site visits where necessary, summoned witnesses, recorded proceedings, documented testimonies and analysed all information gathered in order to produce appropriate findings and recommendations to the President.
The Commission was also required to investigate any other matter it deemed relevant to the inquiry and to submit its findings to the President in writing.
