Zimbabwe Title Deeds Digitisation Programme Faces Parliamentary Scrutiny Over Costs and Accessibility

HARARE – Zimbabwe's title deeds validation and securitisation programme has come under renewed scrutiny after concerns were raised in Parliament over the affordability and accessibility of the country's digital land administration reforms.

During a parliamentary session, Bulawayo North legislator Minenhle Gumede questioned whether the costs associated with the Title Deeds Validation and Securitisation Programme could exclude thousands of property owners, particularly pensioners, widows, civil servants, and low-income households. The programme, introduced under Statutory Instrument (SI) 76 of 2025, requires all holders of existing paper title deeds to validate and convert them into securitised digital deeds within a 24-month period ending on July 18, 2027. The reforms are being implemented through the Digital Land Administration Platform (DLAP), a system designed to modernise Zimbabwe's property registry and reduce fraud.

"The objective of strengthening property rights, improving the integrity of land records, and protecting citizens from land fraud is both commendable and necessary," Gumede told Parliament.

However, she warned that conveyancing fees reportedly averaging around US$200, excluding VAT and other administrative costs, could place a significant financial burden on ordinary Zimbabweans.

Property law experts say the concerns are legitimate. Harare-based property consultant Godknows Hofisi previously noted that SI 76 of 2025 requires property owners to submit existing deeds for validation before receiving new securitised title deeds, a process involving legal and administrative procedures.

The government argues that the reforms will strengthen property rights, eliminate duplicate records, and reduce title deed fraud. Chief Registrar Willie Mushayi recently said the validation process is expected to improve efficiency and create a secure digital archive of Zimbabwe's property records.

Gumede also questioned whether residents in rural areas and provinces outside Harare would have adequate access to the programme, noting that travel and accommodation costs could create additional barriers.

"In essence, what safeguards exist to ensure that no citizen loses, compromises or is deprived of their property rights solely due to the inability to afford or access the validation process?" she asked.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi dismissed the intervention as too technical for debate under a point of national interest, arguing that the matter would be more appropriately handled through a parliamentary committee inquiry.

"Parliament in session here is not supposed to deal with the details that she is asking," Ziyambi said, suggesting that the relevant committee summon officials from the Deeds Registry and the Ministry of Justice for a comprehensive briefing.

The nationwide programme, launched earlier this year, forms part of the government's broader digital transformation agenda and seeks to create a modern, secure, and transparent property ownership system. Property owners who fail to validate their title deeds within the prescribed period risk facing challenges when conducting future property transactions. As implementation gathers pace, stakeholders are calling for greater public awareness, decentralised services, and affordable fee structures to ensure that the benefits of digital land administration are accessible to all Zimbabweans.

Zimbabwe title deeds validation programme