Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
Zimbabwe’s government has made a significant shift in its land policy, allowing beneficiaries of its land reforms to sell or transfer their farms, but only to indigenous Zimbabweans.
Information Minister Jenfan Muswere stated that the new policy aims to “unlock value” and will provide farmers with a “bankable, registrable and transferable document of tenure”.
The land reform program, launched in 2000, was designed to address inequalities from the colonial era and ensure equitable access to land for all Zimbabweans. However, the program has faced challenges, including difficulty accessing finance, lack of security of tenure, and threats to land tenure.
Key Features of the New Policy:
- Priority Groups: Veterans of the liberation struggle, women, and youths will be given priority in the allocation of land.
- Security of Tenure: Beneficiaries of the land reform program will have enhanced security of tenure, but land can only be transferred among indigenous Zimbabweans.
- Exclusions: Communal land under traditional chiefs’ jurisdiction will be excluded from the new land tenure system.
- Urban Land Development: Urban land will be made available to credible developers who will add value to the land and comply with relevant laws.
Goals and Expected Outcomes:
- Unlock the full value of land to enhance economic growth and performance.
- Facilitate accelerated investments in agriculture and associated value chains.
- Achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
- Ensure inclusive and nationwide economic development.
The government has constituted a cabinet oversight committee and a technical committee to lead and coordinate the implementation of the new policy.
An indefinite moratorium has been placed on the issuance of new 99-year leases or permits for agricultural land.
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