Zanzibar warns land brokers over sale of government-reserved plots

The Zanzibar Land Commission has warned land brokers and members of the public against selling or buying government-reserved land set aside for development and agricultural projects, saying transferring such land is prohibited and could constitute a criminal offence.

The warning was issued on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, by the commission’s Executive Secretary, Mussa Kombo Bakari, during a press briefing at the commission’s offices in Mwanakwerekwe, Unguja. He said some brokers had recently been advertising reserved land on social media without verifying its ownership or permitted use.

Bakari identified Paje, Jambiani, Fumba, Bwejuu, Michamvi, Makunduchi and Kendwa among the areas where such cases had been reported. “The commission recognises that some of these areas do not belong to the people using brokers to advertise them for sale. Some are Government agricultural and forest reserves,” he said.

He cited the Land Commission Act No. 6 of 2015 and the Land Tenure Act No. 12 of 1992, which give the commission authority to designate land for specific uses, and said those who violate the laws could face fines and imprisonment. He also warned brokerage companies to verify the legality of land before accepting assignments to advertise it.

“We will start arresting those who advertise such land, and they will be required to identify the people who hired them,” Bakari said, adding that the government had reserved land for major development projects that must be protected from illegal transactions. The commission advised prospective buyers to verify land ownership and status before making payments, and said people allocated land for specific purposes must obtain approval from the Minister for Lands and Housing before changing its use. Its public relations officer, Raya Akida Haji, also urged buyers to confirm the status of plots before purchasing them.