Staff Reporter
The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zimbabwe chapter, Innocent Ndibali, has applauded the government’s decision to issue title deeds to resettled farmers, describing the move as a progressive step toward economic justice and empowerment for black Zimbabweans.“
Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka last week announced in parliament that the government has set June 30, 2026, as the deadline for the issuance of title deeds to all resettled farmers with valid tenure documents.
He emphasized that the move is part of broader efforts to formalize land ownership and improve agricultural productivity.
“All resettled farmers with valid tenure documents undoubtedly qualify for the issuance of title deeds,” said Masuka while addressing the National Assembly.“
“This is a pivotal moment for our farmers who have waited long for formal recognition of their land rights.”
In an interview with The Sun, Ndibali welcomed the announcement, saying it aligned with the liberation ideals fought for by Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters.
“As champions of economic freedom, we would like to hail the government for finally realizing that no meaningful development can ever happen on our farms without land tenure security,” Ndibali said.
Land is one of the fundamental reasons why ZIPRA and ZANLA took up arms during the liberation struggle. This move is long overdue and must be implemented with urgency.
Ndibali said that the issuance of title deeds would unlock economic potential in the agricultural sector by enabling farmers to access funding, invest in infrastructure, and plan for long-term sustainability. Title deeds are not just pieces of paper. They are instruments of economic liberation.
They give farmers dignity, security, and leverage to participate meaningfully in the economy,” he added.
However, Ndibali also challenged the beneficiaries of the land reform programe to reciprocate the government’s gesture by putting the land to productive use.
The ball is now in the court of the farmers. We urge them to take full advantage of this opportunity and turn their land into hubs of agricultural productivity. Let the land work for the people,” said Ndibali, who is also a renowned farmer and businessman.
The issue of land tenure in Zimbabwe has long been a contentious subject since the fast-track land reform programme began in the early 2000s.
Many farmers have operated under 99-year leases or offer letters, which critics argue offer limited security and are difficult to leverage for investment.
Masuka acknowledged these concerns and said the transition to title deeds would be handled carefully to ensure fairness, transparency, and inclusivity.
“We are working with various ministries and stakeholders to streamline the process.
This is not just a policy decision.
It is a national priority that must benefit all legitimate resettled farmers,” Masuka added.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the initial phase will focus on A1 and A2 farmers who already possess formal documentation proving their land allocations. A verification and surveying exercise is expected to be rolled out in early 2025.
Ndibali urged the government to ensure that the process is corruption-free and prioritizes the ordinary farmers who have been toiling the land for years. We must guard against elite capture.
The people who should benefit are those who have stayed on the land, worked it, and turned it into a livelihood. Let us not allow land barons and political elites to hijack this noble initiative,” he said.
With land tenure security now in sight, many in the agricultural sector are optimistic that Zimbabwe’s long-suffering rural economy may soon turn a corner.
“If implemented properly, this could be the game-changer we have been waiting for,” said the EFF leader.
