The draft National Land Policy

This is a draft of the National Land Policy and as such is a working document and not a formal policy document. It should not be interpreted as the policy of the Government of Swaziland or any other government ministry or department until it has been finally agreed and adopted.

[Printable version]

National Land Policy Contents

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Justification for the National Land Policy
1.2 Policy Vision
1.3 Land Policy Objectives
1.4 Land Policy Principles
1.5 Policy Context

2.0 Issues and Policy Statements

2.1 Human Rights Issues and Policies

2.1.1 Gender bias in land allocation
2.1.2 Bias on the basis of place of birth or current location
2.1.3 Failure to protect private property and equitably compensate for displacement

2.2 Cultural Issues and Policies

2.2.1 Erosion of Swazi Values
2.2.2 Integration between cultural values and modern economic realities

2.3 Land Tenure Issues and Policies

2.3.1 Insecurity for increasing numbers in all tenure categories
2.3.2 Allocation rights and procedures

2.4 Land Use and Land Management Issues and Policies

2.4.1 Dual system of land tenure and land administration
2.4.2 Unplanned and uncontrolled development
2.4.3 Underutilisation and wasteful use of land
2.4.4 Conversion of high agricultural potential land
2.4.5 Lack of regulation and control of common grazing areas leading to erosion
2.4.6 Competition between wildlife and land for a limited resource

2.5 Land Market Issues and Policies

2.5.1 The land market is not working for the benefit of all Swazis
2.5.2 Underdeveloped property market and infrastructure
2.5.3 Concern over inflation of land prices beyond levels affordable to the majority of citizens
2.5.4 Land hoarding in expectation of resale windfalls
2.5.5 Farm sales occurring without notification of communities
2.5.6 Lack of capacity in the formal market encouraging informal market practices
2.5.7 Lack of access to finance for lower income groups
2.5.8 Foreign Direct Investment and foreign ownership of land

2.6 Land Administration Issues and Policies

2.6.1 Uncoordinated and inefficient land administration
2.6.2 Land-related dispute resolution
2.6.3 Outdated and overlapping land laws
2.6.4 Unresolved status of remaining concession land
2.6.5 Local-level land administration
2.6.6 Disputes over boundaries and legitimacy between competent authorities
2.6.7 Mechanism of converting rural land to urban status
2.6.8 Ineffectiveness of existing land administration structures

3.0 Implementation - Legislative Measures

3.1 Legislative measures relating to Human Rights Policies
3.2 Legislative measures relating to Cultural Policies
3.3 Legislative measures relating to Land Tenure Policies
3.4 Legislative measures relating to Land Use and Land Management Policies
3.5 Legislative measures relating to Land Market Policies
3.6 Legislative measures relating to Land Administration Policies

4.0 Implementation - Institutional Measures

4.1 Institutional Framework

4.1.1 An Institutional Hierarchy
4.1.2 Inter-ministerial cabinet committee
4.1.3 Public Land Management Unit
4.1.4 Rationalisation of land-related public service administration

4.2 Budgetary Implications

4.3 Land Information System

4.3.1 Land Information Management Strategic Plan
4.3.2 Financial Implications
4.3.3 Human Resources
4.3.4 Institutional implications

List of Acronyms

APPENDIX A - Historical Background

APPENDIX B - Current Relevant Parallel Government Initiatives

APPENDIX C - Status of policies to be developed under the umbrella of this Policy

APPENDIX D - Glossary

Suggestions or comments

This page was last updated on 18 February 2004