Land bonanza for Zimbabwe civil servants, war veterans

Civil servants and war veterans are set to benefit from heavily discounted land purchases under a bold new government land distribution initiative aimed at empowering citizens and recognising the contributions of key national groups.

The programme, which includes flexible 20-year payment terms, was unveiled as part of a broader economic empowerment drive by the Zimbabwean government. It seeks to make land more accessible to ordinary citizens while supporting agricultural productivity and national development.

Speaking during the Leadership Success Series and Land Tenure Implementation Programme at Masvingo Polytechnic on May 23, business mogul and philanthropist Kudakwashe Tagwirei announced that the government had earmarked 10 million hectares of land for redistribution under the A1 and A2 farming models.

"The government of Zimbabwe has acquired 10 million hectares that will be redistributed to citizens. A1 farmers will receive six hectares, covering residential and farming land, while A2 farmers will receive up to 200 hectares," said Tagwirei.

In Masvingo, land is currently priced at US$500 per hectare, making the typical A1 six-hectare plot worth US$3,000. However, substantial discounts are being offered to civil servants and other eligible beneficiaries.

"If you're a civil servant with over 10 years of service, you'll get a discount of two and a half to five percent. Because Masvingo is in Region 3, there's an additional two percent discount. Those who pay in cash will receive a further 15 percent discount," Tagwirei said.

After the combined discounts, a qualifying civil servant would pay only US$2,340 for a six-hectare plot, while non-civil servants would pay US$2,490. Payment can be made in annual instalments over 20 years — US$273 per year for civil servants and US$288 for others.

War veterans will benefit from even greater subsidies, with the first five hectares available at just US$10 per hectare. The sixth hectare is priced at the standard US$500, but like others, veterans qualify for the additional 15 percent discount for cash payments.

Tagwirei emphasised that the initiative is part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's vision to boost grassroots economic participation and ownership.

"The President understands that people are struggling financially and has made it possible to pay for land over two decades," he said. "This is about empowering Zimbabweans to be productive and to own their future."

The land distribution programme is expected to roll out in phases, with registration and vetting processes managed at the district level. Beneficiaries are being urged to apply through proper channels to secure allocations under the new scheme.