Churches, Bars and Restaurants Face Shutdown as City of Harare Cracks Down

Churches, Bars and Restaurants Face Shutdown as City of Harare Cracks Down

Your favourite churches, hotels, restaurants, and sports clubs face shutdown as the City of Harare intensifies efforts to enforce compliance with building regulations. The municipality has warned that venues operating without Certificates of Place of Assembly are breaking the law and endangering public safety.

Also read: Harare City Council to Demolish 5,000 Illegal Houses Amid Government Pushback

Churches, Bars and Restaurants Face Shutdown as City of Harare Cracks Down

In a statement, Town Clerk Phakamile Moyo revealed that many establishments are flouting the Building Fees and Related Matters By-laws of 1979, which require certification for indoor assembly venues. These include churches, halls, schools, colleges, cinemas, and beer halls, among others.

“To owners or administrators of the following: Indoor assemblies: (thus churches, halls, hotels, restaurants, schools, universities, colleges, cinemas, beerhalls, and Sports Clubs). Building Developers and others that occupy buildings of any such use, not specified above, where the building is used for public assembly. The City of Harare is aware that some of the above-mentioned places of indoor assemblies are operating illegally (without Certificates of Place of Assembly) in violation of Section 9 of (Building Fees and Related Matters) By-laws of 1979. In view of the above, Council is going to close down or penalise those who remain non-compliant in the next 2 months from the date of this notice,” said Moyo.

Also read: Vendors Criticize Harare City Council’s Proposed US$1 Levies for Emergency Services and Street Lighting

Inspections and Penalties

The city has announced plans to increase inspections in the coming weeks. Non-compliant owners risk penalties added to their rates accounts or outright closure of their venues.

“Owners of such buildings mentioned above are advised to visit Building Inspectorate offices at Cleveland House, 92 Leopold Takawira Street, Harare. Failure to comply with the above means penalty charges will also be levied on the owners’ rates account,” said Moyo.

Also read: Zimbabweans Express Outrage After City of Harare Fines Budiriro Resident US$13K for Road Damage Linked to Borehole Water Connections

Waste Management Requirements

In addition to certification, the city has mandated that all buildings must provide waste bins both inside and outside their premises to comply with Harare Statutory Instrument 158/86 Anti-Litter By-Law.

“This notice is issued in accordance with the Harare Statutory Instrument 158/86 Anti-Litter By Law. The City will enforce the law until every building owner complies with the directive,” added Moyo.

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