By Correspondent
Government is revamping the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property as it aims to weed out corruption.
The loss of a US$600 000 property by former Minister Dzingai Mutumbuka has increased noise over the corruption there.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Mrs Vimbai Nyemba confirmed the investigations.
“Following allegations and complaints of corrupt and fraudulent activities in the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property, investigations have been initiated into the records and information unit.
The department has faced multiple accusations of malpractices which has given impetus to the need for changes.
Below we reproduce an article by Mazvita Nyabereka of Muvingi Mugadza Legal Practitioners on how to search for Title Deeds.
How To Conduct a Deeds Search
When buying a property, one of the first things to do is visit the Deeds Registry for a “Title/Deeds Search”.
This is also known as due diligence.
This will put you at ease knowing that the property you want to invest in exists.
It will inform you if there are any encumbrances registered over the property.
Most importantly you get to know if it is being sold to you by the rightful owner.
Below are a few easy steps to help you go through the process:
1. Approach the Registrar of Deeds Offices. There are two in Zimbabwe: (a) HARARE: Century House, East 38 Nelson Mandela Avenue, (b) BULAWAYO: Tredgold Building, 2nd Floor, Room 222, Fort Street/L.Takawira Street.
2- Report to the information desk, where you will find personnel ready to assist you. Inform them you would like to conduct a search. You will be required to pay a search fee.
3. Thereafter, give the assistant the name of the person/company that currently owns the property, and the name is run through the database for confirmation.
Once the name has been confirmed the assistant will give you the registered Title Deed Number which is unique to the particular Title Deed for the particular property.
4. After having obtained a Title Deed Number, you proceed to record in the Search book.
Content in Title Deed
The Title Deed which you are searching for will be in a large bound book.
You will need to use the Title Deed Number provided to find the particular Deed you require.
The Deed will have all the important information which will be useful to you, including:
Who the registered owner is.
The full description of the property.
-it will state where the property is physically located; the size of the property and any conditions attached to the property
When the property was transferred and the reason for transfer.
Any encumbrance or Mortgages on the property
This Title Search is an important exercise that will assist you in making a decision on investment in a particular property.