Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has roped in the private sector to help survey outstanding farms as the Second Republic accelerates the issuance of title deeds ahead of the projected final deadline of June next year.
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Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka raised the need for fast surveying while responding to questions from legislators in the National Assembly recently.
“The estimations are that 24 000 Model A2 farmers have to be given title deeds, with 12 000 to 13 000 of those on surveyed units. The balance needs surveying. There are 360 000 Model A1 farmers who must get title deeds. None of these farms have been surveyed.
“Government has engaged the private sector to enhance surveying of farms and the use of modern technology in order to expedite the work,” said Minister Masuka. Mbizo legislator, Mr Coban Madzivanyika (CCC) had asked the minister to provide a detailed statement regarding the new title deeds being offered to beneficiaries of the fast track land reform.
Minister Masuka said farmers were being issued with the normal deed of transfer which bestows private ownership and full rights to them and the projected deadline was June next year.
“All land reform beneficiaries with valid tenure documents qualify for the issuance of title deeds. All the resettled farmers should be issued with title deeds by June 30, 2026,” said Minister Masuka.
He said his Ministry was instructed to set up a ‘one-stop centre” and the Land Tenure Implementation Committee had since established one at Makombe Complex to ease the process for farmers.
Minister Masuka said the centre had seven work stations: verification of a farmer’s tenure document, clearing of disputes by the Zimbabwe Land Commission, Surveyor General survey status confirmation, receipting of processing fees of US$10 and purchase price when paid, completion of the title deed data form, determination of the purchase price, and finally the conveyancing.
On financing models, Minister Masuka said there are three options being applied at the moment.
“There is the cash option, where the farmer can pay the full purchase price within 90 days. There is a 15 percent discount for this option. The title deed is processed after the farmer is fully paid up. Another one is the credit facility, where the farmer pays the full purchase price within 12 months. The farmer will be referred to the bank. Government will give a 5 percent rebate after payment of the full purchase price. The title deed will be processed after payment of the full purchase price. Title deed will be processed after full payment is made,” said Minister Masuka.
