Staff Reporter 

Bankable title deeds for state-owned land will not compromise Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Programme or result in financial institutions seizing vast tracts of land, according to the chairperson of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, Kudakwashe Tagwirei.

Speaking on ZBC TV’s Face the Nation program last night, Tagwirei dispelled fears that defaulting farmers could lose their land to banks under the new system.

He emphasised that Government remains the ultimate owner of the land, ensuring its protection.

“The land belongs to the Government; it does not belong to the bank. Even when a farmer defaults on a loan, banks must consult the Government before any repossession process. The land’s value, estimated at around US$20 billion, is far beyond what any bank could manage through mortgages. Banks are simply administrators of the loans granted to farmers,” Tagwirei explained.

He clarified that the title deeds aim to promote commercial farming rather than subsistence farming.

Farmers who receive these deeds are expected to maximise productivity to meet loan repayment obligations.

The new title deed system, tied to individuals’ unique national identification numbers, also indirectly addresses concerns about multiple farm ownership.

Tagwirei said, “Section 289 of the Constitution ensures that every citizen is entitled to access land. Since title deeds are tied to ID numbers, it becomes impossible for an individual to own multiple farms fraudulently.”

While acknowledging public concerns about fairness in land distribution, Tagwirei emphasised that resolving such issues was not the Land Tenure Committee’s primary mandate.

Tagwirei dismissed allegations that he intended to use his financial influence to acquire land.

“At an average valuation of US$2 000 per hectare, it would take US$20 billion to purchase all the land. I simply do not have that kind of money,” he said.

He reiterated that the deeds initiative is designed to empower farmers and grow the economy. Banks will administer a financing fund under government oversight to ensure affordable loans are accessible to farmers, further boosting productivity.

Launched by President Mnangagwa in 2024, the bankable deeds initiative seeks to unlock the economic potential of agricultural land and align Zimbabwe’s development goals with its Vision 2030 targets.

The deeds are structured based on recommendations from the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, comprising 14 experts from diverse fields.

With the safeguards in place, the initiative ensures the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Programme while driving economic growth through enhanced agricultural productivity.