Mnangagwa's govt bows down to pressure over land tenure fees

The Zimbabwean government has reportedly softened its stance on land tenure fees following pressure from liberation war veterans, culminating in an agreement reached after a tense meeting at Zanu PF headquarters in Harare two weeks ago.

Authorities have since approved a comprehensive land purchase incentive framework aimed at broadening access to land ownership for war veterans, ex-detainees, restrictees, non-combatant cadres, collaborators and civil servants.

Land Tenure Implementation Committee chairperson Kudakwashe Tagwirei said the framework, approved by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is intended to strengthen land tenure security, enhance agricultural productivity and promote equitable access to land.

"The framework seeks to formalise land ownership, strengthen tenure security and enable productive agricultural investment through affordable land acquisition," said Tagwirei.

Under the new structure, war veterans will be able to purchase agricultural land at concessionary rates based on agro-ecological regions. In Region One, beneficiaries can access up to six hectares at US$10 per hectare, while Region Two allocations are capped at 10 hectares at US$6 per hectare.

Region Three offers up to 20 hectares at US$3 per hectare, Region Four up to 40 hectares at US$1.50 per hectare, and Region Five up to 70 hectares at US$1.17 per hectare.

In addition, war veterans will receive a further 85 percent discount after the application of the concessionary rates.

Ex-detainees, restrictees and non-combatant cadres will qualify for a 30 percent discount, while collaborators will receive a 15 percent reduction.

Civil servants—both serving and retired—will also benefit from a tiered discount system based on years of service, ranging from five percent for those with more than five years of service to 30 percent for those with over 40 years.

"This measure recognises the long-term commitment of civil servants to national development and aims to provide a pathway to asset ownership and economic security," Tagwirei said.

The government says the initiative aligns Zimbabwe's land reform programme with international best practices while promoting rural development and intergenerational wealth creation.

Beneficiaries have been urged to engage the Ministry of Lands and Rural Development for guidance on application procedures and documentation requirements. Tagwirei added that individuals who had already made payments under previous arrangements would be reimbursed.

However, the new framework comes amid reports that some farmers had previously been charged as much as US$1.5 million for land tenure regularisation, depending on the size and location of their farms—an issue that is believed to have triggered discontent among war veterans and prompted the latest policy shift.