Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE Government has intensified its title deeds validation and securitisation programme as part of broader efforts to strengthen property rights, curb fraudulent transactions and create a more secure and attractive investment environment.
The nationwide exercise, which forms a key pillar of the Second Republic’s property ownership reforms, is designed to protect landowners, enhance confidence in the property market and support economic development through a secure and transparent land administration system.
Speaking on ZBC’s current affairs programme Face the Nation, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs Vimbai Nyemba said the programme is anchored on digitisation, securitisation and validation of title deeds to ensure the integrity of property ownership records.
“Digitisation and securitisation will go a long way in boosting the confidence of investors and landowners. I think it is the best way to go in developing our economy because the economy is dependent on land. It is on land that infrastructure development takes place.
“We need a watertight process that attracts investors while ensuring property owners are secure and can rest easy knowing their properties are protected. There is also the issue of validation, which is essentially an audit process that authenticates documents and identifies any irregularities in property transfers during the exercise,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba also highlighted the significance of the Presidential Title Deeds Programme, describing it as a critical intervention in the regularisation of peri-urban settlements.
“The Presidential Title Deeds Programme is targeting peri-urban communities where there has been no regularisation. The introduction of title deeds is transforming these communities. Hospitals are being built, roads are being developed and proper accommodation is being established.
“It is not an easy exercise, but local authorities are fully involved. In some instances, individuals may have settled on land belonging to others and lived there for a long period. Local authorities are working to address such issues as part of the regularisation process,” she said.
The Second Republic has prioritised the empowerment of citizens through the issuance of title deeds, an initiative aimed at guaranteeing secure ownership of land and property for current and future generations.
