Harare Council Threatens to Seize Church Sound Equipment Over Night Noise
The Harare City Council has warned that it will confiscate loudspeakers and other sound equipment from churches that continue to broadcast overnight prayer sessions into residential neighbourhoods without reducing noise levels.
Mayor Jacob Mafume said the local authority is preparing to engage church leaders following a surge in complaints from residents disturbed by amplified night-long services.
Also Read: Pentecostal Churches Told To Silence Noise As Govt Orders Soundproofing In New Noise Law
Meeting With Church Leaders Planned
Mafume said the council intends to convene discussions with religious leaders in a bid to find an amicable solution before taking enforcement action. However, he made it clear that authorities are prepared to act decisively if the disturbances persist.
He noted that extended themed prayer meetings — sometimes running for consecutive weeks in high-density suburbs — have become a growing concern for communities struggling with sleepless nights.
Residents Cite Disruptions
According to the mayor, excessive noise affects vulnerable groups including schoolchildren studying for exams, people recovering from illness and employees who require rest before early shifts.
While acknowledging the importance of freedom of worship, Mafume stressed that religious activities should not infringe upon the rights of others.
He argued that prayer is a personal act of devotion and should not be projected into entire neighbourhoods through outdoor speakers. Week-by-week programmes targeting different church groups, he said, should not result in constant amplified sound spilling into the streets.
Government Crackdown on Urban Noise
The warning from City Hall comes shortly after the national government directed churches operating in residential areas and central business districts to install soundproofing as part of broader efforts to curb urban noise pollution.
Under the city’s 2014 Noise By-laws, the use of loudspeakers, amplifiers or musical instruments in a manner that disturbs the peace of residents or the public is prohibited.
Council officials say upcoming engagements with church leaders aim to strike a balance between constitutional rights to worship and the need to preserve peace and order in residential communities.
For now, authorities are urging compliance — but they insist that confiscation of sound equipment remains an option if the noise continues unabated.
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