By Rangarirai Shanyurai
Civil servants and war veterans are set to benefit from discounts on land purchase under the government’s recently launched land distribution programme, aimed at promoting economic empowerment and recognizing the contributions of these key groups.”
The government of Zimbabwe launched the major land redistribution initiative, offering major discounts with flexible 20-year payment terms.
Speaking at the Leadership Success Series and Land Tenure Implementation Program held at Masvingo Polytechnic on May 23, business mogul and philanthropist Kudakwashe Tagwirei revealed that government had 10 million hectares of land for redistribution under the A1 and A2 farming schemes.
“The government of Zimbabwe has acquired 10 million hectares that will be redistributed to citizens. A1 farmers will receive six hectares, covering residential and farming land, while A2 farmers will receive up to 200 hectares,” said Tagwirei.
In Masvingo, land is priced at US$500 per hectare, putting the standard six-hectare A1 plot at US$3 000. However, Tagwirei said civil servants and other qualifying groups will receive layered discounts.
“If you’re a civil servant with over 10 years of service, you’ll get a discount of two and half percent to five percent. Because Masvingo is in Region 3, there’s an additional two percent discount. Those who pay in cash will receive a further 15% discount,” said Tagwirei.
As a result, civil servants will pay just US$2 340 for a six-hectare plot, while non-civil servants will pay US$2 490.
To ease affordability, citizens will be allowed to pay in annual installments over 20 years, with civil servants paying US$273 per year and others US$288 per year.
War veterans will enjoy even steeper subsidies with the first five hectares priced at just US$10 per hectare, while the sixth hectare costs the standard US$500. They also qualify for the additional 15 percent discount.
Tagwirei said the initiative was aimed at boosting productivity and ownership among ordinary Zimbabweans.
“The President understands that people are struggling financially and has made it possible to pay for land over two decades,” he said.
