Zimbabwe's Property Sector Enters a New Era as Government Takes Delivery of Developer Fleet

Zimbabwe's property sector received a significant boost this week as the government officially received a multi-million dollar fleet of construction machinery from local land developers, marking a decisive new chapter in the country's urban development story.

At a handover ceremony in Harare, prominent developers transferred front-end loaders, graders, tippers, pickups, and specialised technical equipment to the Public Works Department. The machinery will be immediately deployed to accelerate infrastructure projects under the government's urban densification policy.

A New Playing Field for Local Developers

Among those speaking at the ceremony was Highrange Property Group CEO Kuziva Zimunya, who credited President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration for unlocking opportunities that were previously unavailable to Zimbabwean developers.

"Before the new dispensation, there were no such opportunities — only a handful of land developers had access. Now we are being afforded the space. Long live our national leadership." — Kuziva Zimunya, CEO, Highrange Property Group

The sentiment reflects a broader transformation across Zimbabwe's property landscape: one where homegrown developers are being given the platform, the resources, and the regulatory backing to build world-class residential communities.

New Standards That Protect Every Buyer

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, who received the fleet, used the occasion to announce firm new compliance standards for all housing developments under Statutory Instrument 170 of 2025.

Under the new legislation, no Certificate of Occupancy will be issued unless a development meets the Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS). These include:

• Tarred roads throughout the development
• Functional storm-water drainage systems
• Water reticulation within 100 metres of every stand
• Integrated sewer systems
• Comprehensive waste management plans
• Street lighting and recreational spaces for residents

Minister Garwe also issued a clear warning to developers yet to meet their obligations: "The clock is ticking. In the next donation and deployment cycle, I expect 100% compliance."

What This Means If You Are Buying Land

For anyone looking to invest in residential stands in Zimbabwe, this regulatory environment is unambiguously good news. The days of developers selling underdeveloped or poorly serviced land — and leaving buyers stranded — are being firmly addressed by government policy.

At Setnar Properties, these are standards we have championed since our founding. Our developments are designed from the ground up to deliver fully serviced stands, with the roads, water, drainage, and community infrastructure that transform a piece of land into a home worth owning.

Institutional Capacity Gets a Major Upgrade

Permanent Secretary John Basera confirmed that the donated machinery will be housed under the Local Authorities Technical Support Unit (LATSU), significantly expanding the ministry's on-the-ground delivery capacity.

"This machinery symbolises strengthened institutional capacity," Basera said.

The equipment was provided by Highrange Property Group, Romapix, and Junior Construction as part of their contractual obligations to the State. The fleet is expected on construction sites immediately, with government targeting completion of key projects in line with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 — an upper-middle-income society by the end of the decade.

Source: ZimEye — 12 March 2026