The
government
has
removed
restrictions
on
land
use
changes
across
Zimbabwe.
As
a
result,
local
authorities
can
now
make
planning
decisions
independently.
Previously,
a
Conditional
Moratorium
limited
these
powers.
That
moratorium
had
been
in
place
since
May
2025.
However,
authorities
can
now
approve
land
use
changes
and
reservation
adjustments.
This
marks
a
major
shift
in
urban
and
regional
planning
governance.
Minister
Announces
Policy
Shift
In
an
official
notice,
Minister
Daniel
Garwe
confirmed
the
changes.
He
addressed
mayors,
council
chairpersons,
and
senior
local
authority
officials.
He
stated
that
councils
are
no
longer
restricted
from
exercising
planning
powers.
These
powers
were
previously
suspended
under
the
moratorium.
The
minister
said:
“It
is
hereby
notified
that
the
Minister
of
Local
Government
and
Public
Works,
has,
with
effect
from
31st
March
2026
withdrawn
the
Conditional
Moratorium
which
had
been
imposed
in
terms
of
Section
69
of
Regional,
Town
and
Country
Planning
Act
Chapter
29:12
on
change
of
uses
(section
26
(3)
and
change
of
reservations
(section
49
(3)
and
(4)
applications
which
was
issued
on
the
2nd
day
of
May
2025.
“With
this
withdrawal
of
the
Conditional
Moratorium,
local
authorities
are
no
longer
prohibited
from
exercising
the
above-quoted
Local
Planning
Authority
powers
in
respect
of
change
of
use
and
change
of
reservation
which
the
moratorium
had
imposed.”
Improved
Capacity
Drives
Decision
Garwe
explained
that
improved
local
authority
capacity
influenced
the
decision.
Authorities
have
strengthened
planning
and
development
control
systems.
Therefore,
the
government
believes
councils
can
now
manage
land
development
effectively.
He
added:
“The
decision
to
withdraw
has
been
taken
after
careful
appraisal
and
assessment,
which
generally
show
that
local
authorities
have
significantly
improved
their
internal
planning
and
development
control
capacity,
including
compliance
with
conditions
stipulated
therein.
“The
Ministry
is
satisfied
that
the
measures
put
in
place
are
adequate
to
address
the
challenges
that
had
caused
the
moratorium
to
be
imposed.
“Local
Authorities
are
encouraged
to
continue
strengthening
the
newly
established
Departments
of
Spatial
Planning
and
to
exercise
robust
development
control
measures.
“Further,
the
Ministry,
through
its
Inspectorate
Department,
shall
ensure
compliance
with
the
array
of
measures
which
Local
Authorities
undertook
to
abide
by
in
order
to
achieve
the
objectives
of
orderly
and
functional
settlements.”