Looting government retreats on title deeds digitisation

The Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has stepped back from its proposed title deeds digitisation pilot programme following strong resistance from the Law Society of Zimbabwe, but the move has now triggered a broader public backlash over costs, transparency and access.

In a letter dated 8 April 2026, the Law Society confirmed that government had agreed to review and modify the rollout of the validation and securitisation of title deeds after consultations with the legal profession.

Executive Secretary E. Mapara said the revised framework would be developed in consultation with the Society and would take into account submissions made by lawyers.

The Society also clarified that all registered conveyancers would be eligible to participate in the programme once details are finalised.

While the legal profession has welcomed the development as a victory for due process and stakeholder engagement, critics argue the retreat raises deeper questions about the design and intent of the project.

Concerns are mounting among property owners over whether the digitisation process could impose additional costs on title holders who have already incurred expenses to acquire and register their properties. Questions are also being raised about whether legal intermediaries should be mandatory in a process that some argue could be handled more directly and affordably.

Some stakeholders have further called for clarity on the financial model underpinning the programme, including the fees that may be charged, who stands to benefit, and whether private contractors are involved in the digitisation process.

There are also growing calls for transparency around how vulnerable groups—particularly elderly property owners—would be protected from potential cost burdens arising from the exercise.

Legal experts, however, maintain that conveyancers play a critical role in safeguarding property rights, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and preventing fraud in land transactions. They argue that any reform involving title deeds must balance efficiency with legal certainty.

The debate has now shifted beyond the legal fraternity, with members of the public demanding greater accountability and justification for the programme, particularly in the context of economic pressures and property rights protections.

As consultations continue, the spotlight remains on both government and the legal profession to provide clarity on how the digitisation initiative will be structured, funded and implemented—and whether it will ultimately serve the interests of ordinary property owners.