The government opposes the demolition of people’s homes and will continue to regulate informal settlements, with more than 1.5 million homeowners set to receive title deeds under the Kwango/Ngakwame Presidential Titles Programme.
This exercise is being implemented in all ten provinces of the country.
Over the past few weeks, fears grew that the authorities were planning to demolish homes and settlements, especially in peri-urban settlements.
However, the government is working to improve the programme, which will empower beneficiaries by facilitating access to credit financing, basic services and increasing investment in infrastructure.
President Mnangagwa officially launched the program in Epworth, Harare, last year, and the program is spreading to other provinces.
Beneficiaries of the scheme will include residents of former informal or unorganized settlements, those living in government and municipal buildings, as well as residents of urban and rural areas who do not have title deeds for various reasons.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Housing and Social Facilities, Engineer Theodis Chinyanga, told the Sunday Mail that “the main objective of the program is to empower the masses by providing legal recognition and property rights to individuals living in informal settlements, ultimately promoting social justice and enhancing human rights.” Property”. The overall well-being of these communities.”
“As of the latest update, more than 1.5 million property titles will be issued to informal settlers through the programme,” he said.
“This is supposed to have a transformative impact on the lives of beneficiaries, giving them legal recognition and property rights.
“The Ministry is now working on issuing home ownership titles under various government schemes, and the documents are currently being processed.”
Engineer Shinyanga said the government has already started notifying potential beneficiaries to check if they are eligible for the programme.
“The main problem is verifying the information in our files to ascertain the status of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries have since been told to bring essential documents to facilitate the ownership transfer process.
He added that the decentralization program is proceeding quickly, as the government will establish offices in all governorates to facilitate the process.
“The decentralization of the program is on track, and ministry offices across the country are now ready to begin these processes.”
In an interview with the Sunday Mail, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ms Vimbai Nyimba, said the program would be launched this year in phases across the country.
“Epworth was just a pilot project. The next phase includes the launch of the digital land management platform, which will be implemented by His Excellency the President,” she added.
“The next stage is to receive and process title deed applications from previously identified priority regions and provinces. The Ministerial Committee is currently working on that priority list.”
She said the government would also “develop bulk infrastructure in areas where it is lacking.”
“It is very important that interested local and county authorities express this interest to the task force through the Permanent Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs,” she said.
In a recent public notice, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Facilities urged beneficiaries to confirm by March 29 if they are eligible for title deeds.
“The Ministry of National Housing and Social Facilities is facilitating the processing of title deeds, and we have learned that some beneficiary files do not contain key documents, which is a prerequisite for processing files before issuing title deeds,” read the notice.
“In view of this, we hereby notify all potential beneficiaries of government housing schemes in all the provinces listed below to submit the following documents to the offices of the Ministry of National Housing and Social Facilities in the provinces, as indicated below, on or before March 29, 2024.”
Masvingo State Minister for Provincial Affairs and Delegation, Mr. Ezra Chadzamira, urged residents in the province not to worry about the demolitions, but rather look forward to benefiting from the regulation.
He said: “The new regime does not arbitrarily destroy people’s property.”
That is why the government regulates areas controlled by land lords who are advised to leave those places. We encourage people to apply for title deeds.
“The province fully supports the program and vision launched by His Excellency President Mnangagwa to award titles to those entitled and those legally occupying the land,” Mashonaland Western State Minister of Provincial Affairs and Delegation Marian Chombo said. This program encourages investment, as well as guaranteeing property rights stipulated in the country’s supreme law.
“The government has laid down clear guidelines and regulations that should be followed when one wants to acquire and settle any land in the country. The guidelines are understandable and non-discriminatory. By strictly following these, we can prevent corruption, nepotism and unethical practices. This will enhance confidence in the system”.
In Masvingo, areas expected to benefit from the title deeds program include Manhédi, Hillside, Runyararo West, Rodene and Eastvale, as well as Chofani in Chiredzi.
In Bulawayo, areas include Kumalo Flats, Enemela Flats and Parklands Mews.
In Manicaland, beneficiaries will be selected from Venjeri and Tsanguru in Makoni, Hona in Mutasa, Gaza in Chipinje, Ngangu in Chimanimani, Murambinda in Buhera, as well as Mase Camp in Sakupva, Nyasonzi Cluster, Old Site Cluster, Elias Gladhill, Esro and Nyamuru, from Among other areas in Mutare.
Most of the beneficiaries in Mashonaland East will be from the Elmswood area of Marondera.
Some of the areas set to benefit from Mashonaland West are Kaguvi 2, Umvovo, Mubaira and Garikai in Chegutu.
In Makonde District, people living in Mzari Extension Flats, Gunhill Project, Goldstream, Mzari, Garikai and Batonga 1-3 in Kariba will be taken into consideration.
In Matabeleland North there are Tsholochow, Victoria Falls and Ntabazendona; While in Matabeleland South, the regions include Hlanekole and Rediff (Beitbridge); Hlanikul (Bulelima), Spitzkop, Sindzo, Vakama and Hlalani Kohli.
Mashonaland Central includes residents of Bindura, Imtiaz, Centenary, Mazowe, Juruvi, Mt Darwin and Rushinga.
Last year, President Mnangagwa personally handed over hundreds of title deeds to Epworth residents, with a total target of 38,000 deeds targeted for the area. Sunday mail
