17/05/2026
NEWS>>>>>>Zimbabwe's newly appointed Lands Minister, Vangelis Haritatos, has announced a crackdown on illegal land sales commonly known as "sabhuku deals," saying no village head or land baron has the right to sell State land.
In a recent interview, Minister Haritatos said land allocation must be legal, orderly and accountable. He warned that citizens who buy land through unofficial channels risk losing their money and their property.
The Minister said illegal land allocations are happening in communal and peri-urban areas. Some village heads and unofficial land dealers are parcelling and selling State land without any legal authority.
Minister Haritatos said his ministry is taking several steps to stop the illegal deals, working together with local government authorities, traditional leaders, rural district councils, the Zimbabwe Land Commission, and police.
The key measures include:
1. Verification of allocations : Checking which land allocations are legal and which are not.
2. Enforcement : Taking action against those caught parcelling and selling land illegally.
3. Spatial mapping : Creating clear maps of all approved land-use plans.
4. Public education : Warning citizens that buying land through unofficial channels is risky and could lead to loss of property.
The Minister said the government is strengthening transparency so citizens can clearly understand the legitimate channels for applying for land, including the correct documentation and procedures.
The Minister is simply saying Do not buy land from village heads, land barons, or anyone claiming to sell State land. Only the government has the authority to allocate land legally.
