Law & Homes: Justice Ministry Champions Sustainable Housing Drive

The Ministry of Justice is urging sustainable, affordable housing development in Zimbabwe through legal reforms, innovative building methods, and stronger public–private collaboration to meet Vision 2030 goals (image source)

Harare — The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has called on developers and investors to adopt cost-effective, sustainable building models as Zimbabwe confronts a housing shortfall of more than one million units. Chief Director Tapiwa Godzi made the appeal at a Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe (REIZ) press briefing on Wednesday, stressing that quality homes must be affordable for all citizens.

Despite a surge in housing projects funded by private developers and pension funds, the sector remains marred by corruption allegations, money-laundering scandals and fraudulent real estate schemes. Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency show that urbanisation has accelerated from 33 percent in 2012 to 39 percent in 2022, intensifying demand for formal housing. Godzi said the ministry is bolstering legal frameworks to protect property rights and enforce ethical conduct. “Developers and investors must embrace innovative building methods — prefabrication, green materials and modular designs — to reduce costs and environmental impact,” he stated. “We will engage communities and civil society in planning to foster inclusivity and accountability.”

Local homeowner Nyasha Moyo, who lost her plot to a dubious development in 2023, welcomed the ministry’s stance. “We need transparent processes so that ordinary people aren’t priced out or duped by unscrupulous schemers,” she said. Moyo now sits on a neighbourhood watchdog committee that reviews building permits before construction begins. Godzi noted that the ministry is working closely with REIZ, the Estate Agents Council, and the Valuers Council of Zimbabwe to promote professional integrity. Proposed amendments to the Deeds Registries Act will streamline title registration, curb speculative landholding and accelerate dispute resolution.

Dr. Stephen Mutasa, a lecturer in urban planning at the University of Zimbabwe, warned that sustainable housing must align with infrastructure capacity. “Affordable homes fail when water, roads and power can’t keep pace,” he explained. “A public–private partnership model can finance bulk services, but developers and municipalities must coordinate from the outset.” To bridge financing gaps, the ministry urged banks to design flexible mortgage products. At the conference, a senior executive from the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe announced plans for a low-deposit home loan targeting first-time buyers and informal-sector workers. “We aim to reduce initial down-payments to 10 percent and offer staggered instalments linked to income,” she said.

REIZ Vice-President Progress Sibanda reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to transparency. “Our goal is responsible property development aligned with national housing priorities,” he said. “We will monitor compliance and report irregularities to the relevant authorities.” With urban populations projected to reach 45 percent by 2030, the government’s focus on sustainable housing dovetails with Vision 2030 objectives of social equity and environmental stewardship. Godzi concluded that legal certainty and community engagement are foundational to closing the housing gap.

As the ministry rolls out policy reforms and stakeholder workshops over the next six months, the spotlight will remain on whether sustainable building models and robust oversight can transform Zimbabwe’s housing landscape — making decent shelter a reality for every citizen.