CHITUNGWIZA Municipality plans to roll out the Presidential Title Deeds Programme soon following a resolution to finalise a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Trust, which is facilitating the initiative.
The business development committee chairperson Councillor Agatha Mujati, said title deeds would address several challenges.
“Our filing system is not in order. They (Kwangu/Ngakwami Trust) are willing to assist us as a council because we don’t have the equipment. So, they said they will give us equipment,” Cllr Mujati recently told a full council meeting.
“They will come to operate from here while assisting us so that when they get to the issuance of title deeds, the system will be digitalised. That is where the issue of access to our files comes into play.”
The acting town clerk and management were tasked with finalising the draft MOA before sharing it with the concerned parties.
Ward 16 Cllr Michael Mukashi said elderly people in Chitungwiza were concerned about the fate of their properties, which have had no title deeds for decades.
“I have met elderly people who ask me if we want them to die without title deeds. It shows that it is a critical issue,” he said.
“Title deeds are difficult to attain. Some of those who have title deeds have to privately engage lawyers, which is expensive.
“So, we thought that when you have an opportunity for such a facility to assist not only the elderly but also residents; not only residents but also council, it’s important to take it,” he added.
During the meeting, residents voiced concerns over the lack of title deeds for their homes.
Zimbabwe Old People’s Association coordinator Mr Paddington Chaparadza said: “It will be good for us if the digital system is introduced and residents get title deeds at a cheaper fee.”
The Government and Kwangu/Ngakwami Trust signed an agreement to pave the way for the rollout of title deeds to about 1, 5 million people countrywide.
The Presidential Title Deeds Programme was launched in Epworth last year, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa handed over title deeds to dozens of homeowners.
Source: Sunday Mail
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