President HH Appoints New Lands Commissioner to Tackle Title Deed Crisis

President Hakainde Hichilema has sworn in Shadreck Mbewe as the new Commissioner of Lands, tasking him with addressing widespread land title issues including the persistent problem of double deed issuance.

Speaking at State House during yesterday's swearing-in ceremony, President Hichilema directed Mr Mbewe to "clean up land administration issues" that have plagued Zambia's property sector for years.

The appointment comes as the government pushes through controversial reforms to modernise the country's century-old land registration system.

The government has unveiled the Lands and Deeds Registry (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at overhauling a system dating back to 1914. The proposed legislation would grant unprecedented powers to the Chief Registrar of Lands to cancel certificates of title and caveats issued in error without lengthy court processes.

Currently, rectifying administrative errors in land titles requires judicial intervention, often resulting in costly and time-consuming litigation that can drag on for years.

"The proposed amendment will establish a clear and efficient legal framework that allows for the rectification of mistakes in the land register while upholding transparency and accountability," a government minister explained when presenting the bill to the Internal Legislative Committee.

However, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has raised serious concerns about the proposed changes, warning they could undermine the security of land ownership across the country.

LAZ President Lungisani Zulu cautioned that concentrating such sweeping powers in a single office could lead to abuse or arbitrary decisions without proper checks and balances.

"A certificate of title is sacred and anyone who is given a certificate of title is assured that their rights will be sustained," Mr Zulu said during a television interview on Sunday.

While acknowledging genuine concerns about fraud in the land administration system, LAZ emphasised that land certificates are considered conclusive evidence of ownership under Zambian law.

The Ministry of Lands maintains that the reforms are essential to combat fraudulent practices while insisting that affected parties will retain rights to appeal decisions through the minister and ultimately to courts or the lands tribunal.

Alongside Mr Mbewe's appointment, President Hichilema also swore in former Army Commander Lieutenant General Dennis Alibuzwi as Ambassador to Brazil, Brigadier General Wilson Tembo as Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and Mahuba Hazemba as Ambassador to Israel.