Under Article 258 of the 1992 Constitution and the Lands Commission Act 767 of 2008, the lands commission was established as a corporate body. The commission was established to make sure that acquiring and using land is properly regulated. This is to limit problems associated with land ownership and use.

Functions of the Lands Commission

1. On behalf of the government; manage public lands and any other levels vested in the President by the Constitution or by any other law and any lands vested in the Commission;
2. Advise the Government, local authorities and traditional authorities on the policy framework for the development of particular areas of the country to ensure that the development of individual pieces of land is coordinated;
3. Formulate and submit to Government recommendations on national policy with respect to land use suitability and capability;
4. Advise on, and assist in the execution of, a comprehensive programme for the registration of title to land throughout the country;
5. Register deeds and instrument that affect land throughout the country;
6. Facilitate the acquisition of land on behalf of Government;
7. Establish standards for and regulate survey and mapping of the country;
8. Provide surveying and mapping services where necessary;
9. License practitioners of cadastral survey;
10. Provide land and land-related valuation services;
11. Ensure that through sound, sustainable land use planning, socio-economic activities are consistent with the long-term national development goals;
12. In collaboration with other bodies instil order and discipline into the land market through curbing the incidence of land encroachments, unapproved development schemes, multiple or illegal land sales, land speculation and other forms of land racketeering;
13. In collaboration with other bodies minimize or eliminate, where possible, the sources of proacted land boundary disputes, conflicts, and litigations in order to bring their associated economic costs and socio-political upheavals under control;
14. Promote community participation and public awareness at all levels in sustainable land management and development practices to ensure the highest and best use of land;
15. Promote research into all aspects of land ownership, tenure and the operations of the land market and the land development process;
16. Impose and collect levies, fees, charges for services rendered;
17. Establish and maintain a comprehensive land information system;
18. Perform other functions the Minister may assign to it.