Harare Council’s Operation CBD Restoration To Spread To Industrial Areas and Rest Of The City

City Of Harare’s Operation CBD Restoration To Spread To Rest Of The City

The City of Harare has confirmed that its ongoing Operation CBD Order Restoration will soon extend beyond the central business district to cover the rest of the city.

Crackdown Expands Beyond The CBD

In a statement released on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, Acting Town Clerk Eng. P. M. Moyo said the council had launched the operation on 28 July 2025 to enforce compliance with city by-laws and regulations.

He stated:

“All businesses which are not compliant to Council by-laws and regulations are being closed. The City is taking appropriate remedial action to recover its debt while enforcing compliance to minimum service delivery standards as per President’s Call to Action – No Compromise to Service Delivery.”

The City confirmed that the operation in the CBD would conclude on 31 September 2025. After that, enforcement would spread to industrial zones and commercial service centres starting on 1 September 2025.

Moyo urged companies to cooperate:

“We therefore urge all industrialists and business operators to comply with the City officials as they carry out their mandate. To avoid inconveniences of having businesses closed, we urge operators in industrial and commercial areas to immediately visit our Rowan Martin offices to ensure maximum compliance.”

Compliance Results Reported

The City of Harare revealed that several milestones had already been achieved under the programme.

According to the statement:

“Since the start of the operation, a total of 1,202 business licences (new and renewals) were issued, 536 businesses were issued with fire compliance certificates and 11 buildings were granted certificates of occupation after complying with model building by-laws.”

Revenue collection had also improved.

“Revenue collection efficiency on the consolidated bill (CBD – Quadrant A) increased by 21%. Revenue collection efficiency on licensing has significantly improved to 66%,” the statement added.

Council said compliance levels in Quadrant A were now averaging 90%, with a target of 100%.

Council Warns Of Business Closures

The City also issued a stern reminder to business and property owners.

“Council is appealing to building owners to avail upon visit by the Team, copies of their approved development permits and building plans to avoid unnecessary business interruptions during this exercise,” read the statement.

A dedicated one-stop desk has been set up at Rowan Martin Building for the processing of business licences, fire certificates, certificates of occupation and regularisation fees.

The City warned that enforcement would be strict.

“Council will continue to issue closure orders and close all buildings and businesses that are not compliant. It is an offence, without reasonable excuse, to access the premises in breach of a closure notice or obstructing City of Harare Authorised Officers or Members of the ZRP. Appropriate action including prosecution and penalisation of the offenders will be pursued by Council and the state enforcement agency.”

The operation is expected to continue until full compliance is achieved across Harare.