Mawarire labels Mnangagwa's title deeds programme 'fraudulent'

Political commentator Mbizvo Jealousy Mawarire has criticized the Presidential Title Deeds Programme, launched last week by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, describing it as fraudulent and illegal. The initiative, aimed at issuing title deeds to beneficiaries of the fast-track land reform programme, has sparked debate over its legality and implementation.

The programme is being overseen by the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, chaired by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, with the stated goal of converting 99-year leases, offer letters, and permits into bankable, registrable, and transferable deeds of ownership.

In an interview with The Standard, Mawarire argued that the committee is not legally constituted and accused it of exploiting farmers under the guise of providing security of tenure. He pointed out that the Constitution provides for the Zimbabwe Land Commission to handle land tenure matters:

"The Zimbabwe Land Commission is the one that is seized with issues of land tenure, with the alienation and allocation of state-owned land. So, having a parallel structure like the Land Tenure Implementation Committee is an affront on the constitution, an illegality. It has no legal basis."

Mawarire further stated that all agricultural land is vested in the State under Zimbabwean law and that any attempt to introduce private ownership would require a constitutional amendment, which must be approved by a referendum. He accused President Mnangagwa of bypassing this legal framework by creating the Land Tenure Implementation Committee.

He also alleged that the committee is effectively selling land to beneficiaries of the fast-track land reform programme:

"The vehicle they are using to sell land is not provided for in the laws of Zimbabwe. That makes everything they are doing, including purportedly issuing title deeds, a scam. They are making people pay US$300 per hectare for title surveys alone."

Mawarire highlighted the scale of the potential revenue, noting that with over 11 million hectares under commercial agriculture, the total cost for title surveys alone could reach US$3 billion—before any development or investment in the land.

The comments have intensified the debate over the legality and transparency of the Presidential Title Deeds Programme, raising questions about governance, constitutional compliance, and the protection of beneficiaries.