Martin Kadzere,Zimpapers Business Hub
Zimbabwe has taken a decisive step to fortify its property registry system and combat the escalating scourge of title deeds fraud after introducing legislation to tighten systems and improve transparency, among others.
Statutory Instrument 76 of 2025 provides for a comprehensive process of validating and securing old title deeds, a major leap towards a more transparent, secure, and efficient land administration system.
The primary benefits of this legislative overhaul are manifold, directly addressing the vulnerabilities that have plagued Zimbabwe’s largely paper-based property system for decades.
“This new law will bring much-needed integrity and security to our land ownership records,” remarked a legal expert, who requested anonymity.
“For too long, the ease with which fake documents could be created has undermined confidence in property transactions. This shift to a digital, securitised system is a game-changer.”
Corporate lawyer Godknows Hofisi has observed and documented various tactics employed by fraudsters in property-related schemes.
“Based on press reports, it appears to me that cases of alleged fraud over title deeds are on the increase.
“From those reported cases my understanding is that such cases involve . . . use of fraudulent identity documents such as national identity cards bearing details of the legitimate registered owner of the property but with the picture of the fraudster and use of fake title deeds to sell to unsuspecting purchasers or to effect transfer at the Deeds office,” remarked Mr Hofisi.
The central pillar of the new law is a mandatory 24-month period during which all holders of old title deeds must submit their documents for validation.
Upon successful verification of authenticity and compliance, new electronic “securitised deeds” will be issued.
These digital records will be stored in a centralised electronic registry and printed on special, secure paper for the owner, creating a robust dual-format system.
Source: The Herald
Source: The Herald
