Gvt Tightens Grip on Land Barons, Approves Architects Amendment Bill

The Zimbabwean government has intensified its crackdown on illegal land dealings by land barons while bolstering regulatory oversight in the architectural sector, as announced by Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday.

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing stringent measures to regularise urban and agricultural land tenure.

Dr. Muswere said that the ongoing urban land policy reforms aim to ensure compliance with town and country planning laws, addressing the chaos caused by illegal land sales and unregulated developments.

“The menace of land barons, who have little or no regard for the country’s town and country planning laws and policies, is being addressed decisively,” Muswere said.

The reforms, part of the government’s efforts to unlock the economic value of land, include issuing bankable, registrable, and transferable tenure certificates to beneficiaries of the 2000 land reform program.

These measures prioritise indigenous Zimbabweans, particularly veterans of the liberation struggle, and aim to enhance security of tenure while curbing fraudulent succession and illegal land transfers.

Urban land will only be allocated to credible developers capable of adhering to legal and regulatory frameworks, ensuring high-quality housing developments in line with Vision 2030.

In a parallel development, the Cabinet approved the Principles of the Architects Amendment Bill, 2025, presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works.

The amendment seeks to strengthen the regulatory authority of the Architects Council of Zimbabwe, ensuring that only qualified and registered professionals undertake architectural work in the country.

“The amendment aims to reinforce the Council’s authority, ensuring compliance with professional standards and protecting the public from substandard architectural practices,” Dr. Muswere said.

The Bill is expected to modernise the architectural sector, aligning it with international best practices and supporting Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development goals. The Architects Amendment Bill responds to the need for stricter oversight in a rapidly urbanising Zimbabwe, where unregulated construction has often led to safety concerns and non-compliance with urban planning standards.

By empowering the Architects Council, the government aims to foster sustainable urban development and curb the influence of unqualified practitioners in the sector. These dual measures reflect the government’s broader strategy to restore order in land governance and professional services while promoting economic growth.

The policies are expected to facilitate investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and urban renewal, aligning with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which is set to replace NDS1 in 2026.

As Zimbabwe approaches the 2025 harvesting season and continues its push toward Vision 2030, the government’s commitment to addressing land baron activities and strengthening professional regulation signals a robust approach to sustainable development.

However, analysts note that effective implementation and enforcement will be critical to ensuring these policies achieve their intended impact.