Mnangagwa orders release of state land probe findings

Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed that the findings of a Commission of Inquiry into the sale of State land in urban areas be made public, in a move seen as a step towards greater transparency in land administration.

The directive, issued through General Notice 608 of 2026 and published in the Government Gazette by Martin Rushwaya, invokes Section 62 of the Constitution, which guarantees access to information.

"It is hereby notified that His Excellency, the President, in terms of section 62 of the Constitution, has directed the publication of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the matter of sale of State land in and around urban areas since 2005," reads the notice.

The inquiry, chaired by Tendai Uchena, examined land transactions across all 10 provinces, including Harare and Bulawayo metropolitan areas, as well as Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Midlands, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.

The Commission was established in 2018 amid growing concern over the proliferation of illegal settlements, often linked to the activities of so-called land barons who allegedly sold State land unlawfully.

Formally constituted through Statutory Instrument 11 of 2018 - which amended an earlier instrument from 2017 - the commission was tasked with investigating how State land earmarked for urban development had been acquired, allocated and occupied since 2005.

Its mandate included identifying all such land, determining ownership and development status, and scrutinising the methods used in its allocation.

The commission also investigated individuals and entities involved in the allocation and occupation of the land, conducting site visits, summoning witnesses and analysing evidence before compiling its findings and recommendations.

President Mnangagwa further directed that additional reports covering Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces also be published.

The release of the findings is expected to shed light on long-standing concerns over illegal land sales, governance gaps and accountability in urban land management, as authorities seek to address the impact of unregulated settlements on city planning and service delivery.