By Dickson Bandera
Beneficiaries of the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle housing programme are now required to pay the full cost of land and development in order to obtain title deeds upon completion of the agreed payments under the Presidential Title Deeds Scheme.
The new policy, known as the User Pays Principle, requires residents of government housing projects built on private indigenous-owned properties, other privately owned land, farms, or urban stateland to compensate landowners and cover development costs. This includes payment for the land value, servicing, and other associated expenses.
The Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle programme was launched in 2005 as a national reconstruction and resettlement initiative following Operation Murambatsvina, which led to the demolition of illegal structures and settlements across major cities and towns.
The programme aimed to provide decent and affordable housing for displaced urban residents and low-income earners.
Over the years, challenges arose when some housing projects were established on privately owned land or indigenous farms without full compensation to landowners, resulting in disputes and delaying the issuance of title deeds to residents.
One of the most prominent cases is Whitecliff Farm in Harare, a 1,065.7-hectare property where more than 11,000 families have settled. Government has since reached an agreement with Eddies Pfugari Estate for US$44 million in compensation, a landmark deal regarded as a model for resolving similar cases nationwide.
According to the government, the policy is intended to promote fairness, enhance order in human settlements, and provide secure tenure for thousands of families who have benefited from the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle programme.
Under the new policy, the government will facilitate negotiations between beneficiaries and landowners, allowing residents to purchase the land directly over an agreed payment period. Once payments are completed, beneficiaries will be issued title deeds under the Presidential Title Deeds Programme.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee will oversee implementation, ensuring coordination between government ministries, local authorities, and landowners.
Authorities say the policy will bring multiple benefits, including secure tenure, access to basic services such as water, electricity, and waste management, and orderly, well-planned settlements that reduce disorder and criminal activities.
The policy is also expected to generate additional revenue for local authorities through rates and levies paid by residents. Officials add that legal ownership of the land will restore property values, promote urban development, and ensure the long-term sustainability of housing projects.
The User Pays Principle will not be limited to Whitecliff but will be rolled out nationwide, covering all areas where Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle beneficiaries occupy private or disputed land, including properties identified through regularisation exercises as being established on indigenous-owned land or illegally occupied stateland.
Government says the policy represents a decisive step toward resolving long-standing land ownership disputes while ensuring that housing beneficiaries contribute meaningfully to the national housing development agenda.
With the formalisation process underway, thousands of urban residents are expected to transition from informal settlers to legally recognised homeowners.
