100 000 title deeds ready for issuance

The Government will soon issue 100 000 title deeds to homeowners in Chitungwiza, Southlea Park and Epworth under the Presidential Title Deeds and Settlement Regularisation Programme.

In Chitungwiza, some 55 000 homeowners who have been municipal tenants for many years are going to receive title to their land. While the lease agreements between the identified tenants and the council established a path to ownership of the homes they occupied, the local government has long been hesitant to legally take over the properties. The government is preparing almost 9,000 title deeds for Southlea Park, which will be delivered to residents once the necessary amenities have been developed and a certificate of compliance has been issued. On the other hand, in Epworth, where the initiative was first started in April of last year, 18 000 homeowners are set to obtain title documents. This occurred after they received offer letters for their properties.

Overall, the government intends to issue title deeds to more than 1.5 million homeowners through the effort over the next several years. In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs Vimbai Nyemba stated that 1,000 title deeds have been granted thus far. "Almost every local authority has a long waiting list of citizens who need title deeds," she stated. "The Government expects to issue 18,000 in Epworth, where householders have received offer letters from the local government.

"Also, at least 55 000 deeds are expected to be issued in Chitungwiza for long-term municipal tenants, and 9 000 deeds will be issued in Southlea Park following the performance of services and receipt of a certificate of conformity. "Additionally, the Government will issue 21 000 deeds for the Government-enabled housing programme nationwide under the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities." A title deed is a legal document issued by the state that grants an individual ownership of a piece of land and confers actual rights over the property. Mrs Nyemba stated that she has been recruited to lead a taskforce to oversee the scheme.

“So far, 1 000 deeds have been issued and 18 000 offer letters are ready for issuance,” she said.

“A taskforce chaired by the Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs was established.