Zimbabwe's High Court has rejected a legal challenge by war veterans seeking to block the government's land tenure policy that permits farmers to obtain title deeds for agricultural land. Justice Samuel Deme ruled against the War Veterans Pressure Group Trust, whose leaders argued the policy violated constitutional provisions requiring parliamentary approval and consultation with the Zimbabwe Land Commission before transferring state-owned agricultural land.
The court found that existing legislation satisfies constitutional requirements, noting that consultation with the Land Commission does not mean its recommendations must be binding. Justice Deme emphasized that the Land Commission Act of 2018 provides the necessary statutory framework for land disposal after commission consultation. The veterans' legal team, led by Tendai Biti, represented figures such as Joseph Chinguwa, Godfrey Gurira, and Joseph Chinyangare in arguing against President Mnangagwa and Lands Minister Anxious Masuka.
The judgment affirms the legality of the policy designed to strengthen tenure security for beneficiaries of Zimbabwe's Land Reform Programme, though the veterans have not yet indicated plans to appeal.
The court found that existing legislation satisfies constitutional requirements, noting that consultation with the Land Commission does not mean its recommendations must be binding. Justice Deme emphasized that the Land Commission Act of 2018 provides the necessary statutory framework for land disposal after commission consultation. The veterans' legal team, led by Tendai Biti, represented figures such as Joseph Chinguwa, Godfrey Gurira, and Joseph Chinyangare in arguing against President Mnangagwa and Lands Minister Anxious Masuka.
The judgment affirms the legality of the policy designed to strengthen tenure security for beneficiaries of Zimbabwe's Land Reform Programme, though the veterans have not yet indicated plans to appeal.
