Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
CABINET has approved an Urban State Land Management Policy that provides a framework to deal with vices such as illegal settlement, land barons and fraudulent land deals as the Government stamps its authority in ensuring efficient, accountable and professional land management.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere while delivering a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday.
The policy is expected to address land management challenges decisively by providing clear guidelines for land use.
“Cabinet considered and approved the Urban State Land Management Policy. The Urban State Land Management Policy is a significant step towards addressing Zimbabwe’s urban land management challenges,” said Dr Muswere. “It aims to engender better value for land resources, enhance accountability, improve efficiency and usher in a professionalised land management system aligned with Vision 2030.
“The policy addresses rapid urbanisation issues, such as dysfunctional settlements, speculative activitie, and land baronism, while protecting citizens from fraudulent land deals. It clarifies stakeholder roles, provides operational guidelines and promotes efficient and effective urban State land management.”
Dr Muswere outlined six pillars under which the policy is anchored. “The policy is built on six interconnected pillars, namely: governance and decentralisation, innovation and technology, procedures and processes, regulatory framework and enforcement, infrastructure development and planning, and compliance,” said Dr Muswere. “These pillars promote transparency, accountability, efficiency and compliance, and aim to foster orderly urban development, protect public interests and enhance the quality of life for urban residents.
“The policy also promotes innovative financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships and community engagement to support urban development, ultimately creating sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly urban environments.”
Dr Muswere stated that the policy establishes clear procedures for land administration.
“The policy has specific objectives and strategies, including leveraging digital tools for efficient land management, establishing clear procedures for land administration, strengthening regulatory frameworks, developing essential urban services, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards,” he said.
Commenting on the scourge of land barons, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Second Republic has always been reactive in dealing with the challenge. He noted that most of the challenges of illegal settlement date back to the time of the First Republic.
The Government has previously warned land barons against the illegal parcelling out of land, stating that the long arm of the law will take its course without fear or favour. Some land barons have illegally settled people on wetlands or in areas not designated for residential settlement, allowing people to settle without requisite authority.
Dr Muswere also outlined reports presented on projects as of day 50 of the first 100-day cycle. He said that in terms of the Infrastructure Development Thematic Area of the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of State for National Security, Cde Lovemore Matuke, highlighted achievements by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency.
These include the realignment of the 4km Nzoubvunda Bridge Road in Mashonaland Central Province, which Cabinet was informed is ongoing. Other projects include the selection of beneficiaries for the Presidential Solarisation Programme in all eight rural provinces.
Under the Economic Growth and Stability pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga, highlighted achievements under her purview. These include prospecting and pegging eight Special Grant areas under the establishment of mining ventures and that five veteran syndicates, comprising 372 members, had been facilitated in acquiring mining documents.
In terms of the Human Capital Development and Innovation pillar of NDS1, the Minister of Skills Audit and Innovation, Professor Paul Mavima, highlighted achievements under his portfolio.
These included a draft National Scholarship Policy that had been produced, assessment of the Career Guidance landscape in Zimbabwe, and an assessment of Technical and Vocational Skills Training facilities for Persons with Disabilities that was conducted in Kadoma, Gweru, Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo, and Harare, with the final draft report produced.
