By Aaron Kumanja
Sabhuku deals are not bad at all — you just have to be wise.
All communal land is vested in the powers of the President, and this includes rural areas and peri-urban places like Domboshava.
When I started working, I wanted security, so I went and looked for a place to get from a Sabhuku.
You don’t actually buy communal land — you get allocated that land.
Here is the correct process:
1. Identify the land
The land will usually belong to a family. You meet the family, discuss, and agree on payment terms. Once you agree, you sign an agreement — but that agreement must clearly state that you are being allocated a piece of land, not buying ownership.
2. Go to the Sabhuku
You and the family must then go to the Sabhuku and present your agreement.
Make sure the Sabhuku does not come alone — he must come with his team (Dare): the secretary, the treasurer, and witnesses. They must confirm that the family has allocated you the land.
3. Fill in the affidavits
You fill in affidavits, and the Sabhuku and his team witness the process. You then make the necessary payments as agreed.
4. Visit the Headman or Chief
After completing the Sabhuku stage, go with the Sabhuku and the affidavits to the Chief or Headman.
Ensure your name is entered into their books and start paying your rates.
Once you follow this process, nobody will move you from that land because communal land is administered by the Sabhuku, the Headman, and the Chief — even though ultimate power is vested in the President.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
In 2015, I paid US$2,500 to get an allocation of 2 hectares in Domboshava.
Recently, someone offered me US$20,000 just for me to allocate them that land.
I didn’t lose anything — I got my money back many times over because I used that land productively.
That is how communal land should work: use it for production, don’t overpay, and don’t sit on it.
Don’t wait to buy only town land. Start with peri-urban Sabhuku allocations, build projects, raise money, and eventually buy titled real estate.
We are property people — and we love cars.
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