Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday handed back 480 hectares of land previously acquired by the Government to PPC Zimbabwe.
The Arlington property, which is adjacent to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, was initially owned by Portland Holdings (Private) Limited, now operating as PPC Zimbabwe.
It had been acquired as part of the Airport expansion programme in 2010.
Speaking after the handover of title deeds by President Mnangagwa at State House yesterday, PPC Zimbabwe head of Legal and Compliance Mr Tawanda Chiurayi said they appreciated the Government’s move to restore the company’s ownership of the property.
“PPC owned the Arlington property prior to 2010 when it was erroneously acquired. We then engaged the Government and they resolved to give the land back to us given the circumstances. Today was the ceremonial handover of title deeds to us,” he said.
The Government maintained that the land had been reserved for expansion of the airport and placed under the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).
It was further stated that plans approved in 1976 showed that the land had been set aside for a second runway for the airport.
However, following a formal request by the company, which cited extensive investment and planned developments on the site, the Government reinstated its ownership.
The move underscores the Second Republic’s commitment to promoting industrialisation and private sector-led growth as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
It also supports the attainment of Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
Although the specific use of the land is yet to be finalised, Mr Chiurayi said evaluations were underway.
“We are in the process of assessing the available options. Once a clear decision is made, we will make an official announcement,” he added.
After the ceremony, PPC Zimbabwe presented President Mnangagwa with 60 tonnes of cement as a token of appreciation to support his philanthropic initiatives across the country.
