Zimbabwe gives urban land defaulters three-month ultimatum

The Government has given individuals, housing co-operatives, private developers, companies, institutions and other beneficiaries of urban State land a final three-month ultimatum to settle outstanding obligations or face cancellation of their land allocations.

In a statement issued yesterday, Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works, Dr John Basera, said authorities were concerned by the continued failure of some beneficiaries to comply with the conditions attached to their land allocations.

He said many allottees had failed to pay purchase prices and outstanding balances, settle statutory charges, surrender commonage stands and other land due to Government, and fulfil other obligations contained in allocation letters, development permits, agreements and approvals.

"These obligations form an integral part of every allocation and are legally binding," Dr Basera said.

He warned that continued non-compliance was undermining orderly urban development, prejudicing Government interests and delaying the provision of critical public infrastructure.

"The failure to comply is undermining orderly urban development, prejudicing Government interests and delaying the provision of essential public infrastructure and services, including schools, health facilities and recreational amenities," he said.

Dr Basera announced that Government was granting all defaulting beneficiaries a final three-month window to regularise their obligations.

"Accordingly, Government hereby grants a final period of three months from the date of publication of this notice for all defaulting allottees to regularise their obligations," he said.

During the compliance period, affected beneficiaries are required to settle all outstanding payments owed to Government, surrender commonage stands and any other land due to the State in accordance with their allocation conditions, and fulfil all remaining contractual and statutory obligations.

Dr Basera warned that Government would institute legal and administrative action against those who fail to comply once the grace period expires.

"At the expiry of the three-month compliance period, Government shall institute appropriate legal and administrative measures against all defaulters, including but not limited to cancellation of land allocations, repossession of the allocated land without further notice, subject to the applicable law, recovery of outstanding amounts due to Government, and any other remedies available under the law," he said.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works urged all affected beneficiaries to immediately engage the Department of Urban State Land Management to facilitate the regularisation of their obligations within the stipulated period.

Dr Basera said Government remained committed to promoting transparency, accountability and the efficient administration of urban State land in the national interest.