Harare , (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government has launched a digital platform to enable electronic processing of title deeds, as it seeks to digitalize land documents, combat fraud, and enhance transparency.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced the launch of the Digital Land Administration Platform (DLAP) in a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday.
He said the platform enables farmers and landowners to apply for title deeds online as part of a significant step towards streamlining the administrative burden on citizens, especially rural dwellers.
Ziyambi said the new digital system will complement current manual systems and the applicants shall have a choice of using their preferred mode.
He said the DLAP shall also have a structured fee payment system, and the applicants shall be able to pay electronically or use conventional means as outlined in the Second and Fourth Schedules of the gazette.
“Digital Land Administration Platform (DLAP) is a computerized land administration system for online processing of documents and deeds. Fees shall be paid either by the manual process contained in the Second Schedule or Digital Land Administration System (DLAP) contained in the Fourth Schedule,” he stated.
The development comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March this year, launched a national initiative to hand over title deeds to beneficiaries of the land reform program.
Release of the deeds will grant the resettled farmers absolute title of ownership, with profound effects on land tenure security, agricultural productivity, and access to credit.
Previously, farmers used to physically visit Harare or provincial capitals to make their applications. Through WhatsApp and email, the DLAP will enable prospective applicants to register and process the applications remotely, a time and cost-saving exercise.
Permanent secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the digital system would afford much-needed convenience to farmers, especially those in the rural areas.
“We have received over 5 000 farmers calling on our offices asking for the title deeds. Under the new system, they can access all the information and services they need at home,” Jiri said in an interview.
The DLAP is part of a broader government push to digitise public services and improve efficiency in the delivery of key national programs.
New Ziana
