Government Cracks Down on Illegal Land Sales by Traditional Leaders

The Zimbabwean government has officially prohibited the unauthorized sale of state land by traditional headmen, a practice locally known as 'Sabhuku Deals.' Officials stated that only the Ministry of Lands holds the legal authority to issue offer letters, aiming to curb the exploitation of desperate citizens by land barons. This intervention follows a surge in informal land transactions as urban residential prices continue to soar. The government's directive seeks to restore order to land administration, though enforcement remains a challenge in rural and peri-urban areas where traditional influence often supersedes formal regulatory oversight. [NewZimbabwe.com]