Zimbabwe govt to approve land transfers under new tenure system

The Zimbabwean Government is in the process of crafting a new land tenure system aimed at enhancing the bankability and ownership rights of agricultural land, while ensuring local control over this vital resource. The proposed reforms will require government approval for the sale or transfer of agricultural land and introduce strict restrictions on foreign ownership.

According to The Sunday Mail, the proposed land tenure framework is designed to establish a hybrid system that combines elements of freehold and other landholding arrangements. This new system will enable holders of 99-year leases, offer letters, and permits to convert them into bankable, registrable, and transferable tenure documents.

The Government believes these reforms will attract more investment into the agricultural sector while maintaining stringent control over land ownership and transfer processes.

Under the new system, any sale or transfer of agricultural land will require approval from the Government. Similarly, financial institutions looking to foreclose on land used as collateral will also need authorization before transferring ownership. This measure is aimed at ensuring the continued control of agricultural land remains within the country, particularly for indigenous Zimbabweans.

Additionally, the reforms will prohibit the transfer of agricultural land to non-Zimbabweans, safeguarding the country's land reform programme. This is a clear move to protect Zimbabwe's agricultural assets and prevent land from being acquired by foreign entities.

A technical team, the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, has been established to oversee the process. This committee is made up of representatives from several ministries, including the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works; and the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

Once the committee finalizes its recommendations, they will be reviewed by a Cabinet oversight committee led by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi revealed that only minimal legislative amendments are required to implement the changes, with work already underway. "A working party comprising our ministerial officials for lands, agriculture, and local government has begun the groundwork," Minister Ziyambi said.

He emphasized that the reforms are designed to ensure that agricultural land remains accessible only to qualifying individuals, and that they will reinforce the Government's commitment to preserving the Land Reform Programme. "The amendments will ring-fence the Land Reform Programme and prevent its reversal," he added.

The new system will also address land transfers that have previously bypassed restrictions through company ownership structures. "Our Constitution and current laws already provide for leaseholds and title deeds," Minister Ziyambi noted. "We just need to tighten provisions to ensure land transfers are authorised by the Ministry of Lands and restricted to specific individuals."

One of the key components of the reforms is the prohibition of foreigners acquiring agricultural land through sales or transfers. Minister Ziyambi stressed that allowing foreigners to purchase agricultural land would undermine Zimbabwe's control over the sector. "We must ensure land remains in the hands of indigenous Zimbabweans," he said.

The Government plans to engage with various stakeholders, including farmers, traditional leaders, financial institutions, and legal experts, to further develop the policy framework. Once finalized, the reforms will lead to new legislation that defines land ownership criteria, transferability, and restrictions on foreign ownership, which will be presented to Parliament for enactment.

The reforms reflect the Government's ongoing commitment to consolidating the Land Reform Programme while making agricultural land a more viable asset for economic development. By ensuring local control and facilitating greater access to bankable land documents, the Government hopes to attract investment and enhance the productivity of Zimbabwe's agricultural sector.