ABSTRACT
Dealing with land injustices in postcolonial transitions is in particular an extremely delicate matter, largely because of the mixed layers of expropriations which have occurred since the construction of most of postcolonial states. A dualistic land tenure system was thus maintained whereby white settlers, who totalled approximately 5% of the populace, had the best land. Studies also point to an improvement in women’s land rights in resettlements introduced in pursuance of land reform exercise. A critical point worth noting is that land owners no longer led the land purchasing process, as the responsible minister was now empowered to designate certain pieces of land for acquisition. Notwithstanding the low numbers of resettled households, the land reform programme embarked upon during this period was orderly and peaceful. The Act also repealed the Rural Land Occupiers Act which was seen to have served its purpose since offer letters had been issued to all those who occupied state land.
