MPs grill Minister Masuka over bankability of new 'Title Deed'

Parliamentarians have raised concerns over the government's newly introduced comprehensive land tenure policy, pressing Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka to clarify key aspects of the initiative, particularly around the bankability of the proposed title deeds.

During a recent parliamentary Question and Answer session, Minister Masuka announced that all holders of A1 and A2 land permits, leases, and 99-year leases are required to surrender their documents to district Lands offices for verification. This process is the precursor to issuing title deeds over a three-year period, with an estimated 360,000 smallholder farmers and 23,500 commercial farmers expected to benefit.

Masuka described the move as a historic shift toward more secure land tenure, following President Emmerson Mnangagwa's directive. However, several MPs expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the policy, particularly its ability to unlock agricultural financing from commercial banks.

Zanu PF Mabvuku-Tafara MP Pedzisai "Scott" Sakupwanya questioned whether the new title deeds would be more bankable than the 99-year leases, which banks have largely refused to accept as collateral.

"Previously, 99-year leases were introduced to enhance security of tenure and access to funding, yet farmers still struggled to get bank loans," Sakupwanya noted. "What legislative or policy changes are being made to ensure these new title deeds can be used as collateral?"

In response, Masuka acknowledged that previous tenure instruments had fallen short in inspiring lender confidence. He said the current policy is aligned with provisions in the 2013 Constitution allowing the President to grant more secure forms of tenure.

"Title deeds are the ultimate form of land tenure," Masuka said. "We are engaging banks, and five have already set up operations at our one-stop centre to offer mortgages and financing to farmers with title deeds. We expect more financial institutions to follow suit."

Further scrutiny came from MPs like Honourable James, who questioned the fate of original title deeds under the government's compensation program for former white commercial farmers.

"There are reports that former deed holders are being asked to surrender their title documents under the compensation plan. Is this correct?" James asked.

Masuka refuted the claim, dismissing it as "falsehoods being peddled."

"We have never requested the return of those title deeds," he said. "Under the Global Compensation Deed signed in July 2020, compensation for improvements was agreed at US$3.5 billion. These processes never involved asking for or considering the return of title deeds, which are no longer recognised by the State."

Zaka MP Davison Gumbo pressed for clarification on the legal foundation of the title deeds and whether further legislative reform is needed to ensure their credibility in the financial sector.

Masuka responded that no additional legislation was required.

"All legal matters are covered under the Constitution and the Zimbabwe Land Commission Act. These title deeds are fully legal and, according to the banks already working with us, they are both bankable and transferable," he said.

Despite government assurances, some farmers remain skeptical. One farmer, speaking anonymously to NewZimbabwe, described a lingering lack of trust in the financial utility of land tenure documents.

"There's always talk about land tenure bankability, but the reality on the ground is different. Banks don't treat these documents as reliable collateral, and that discourages investment," the farmer said. "We need more than symbolic recognition — we need financial credibility."

The debate underscores longstanding challenges in Zimbabwe's land reform journey, where questions of ownership, compensation, and access to capital continue to dominate the national conversation.

Whether the new title deeds will break that cycle or simply add another layer to it remains to be seen.