Council now targets 100,000 houses illegally built in Harare plus churches, bars, restaurants and other institutions

Harare City Council is launching a two-pronged attack on illegal construction and noise pollution, targeting over 100,000 illegally built houses alongside unregistered businesses and places of assembly. The moves come amidst growing concerns over revenue collection and the provision of essential services in the capital.

The council’s first initiative focuses on clamping down on noise pollution stemming from various establishments operating without the necessary permits. Acting Town Clerk Engineer Phakamile Mabhena Moyo announced that numerous churches, bars, restaurants, halls, sports clubs and other venues are holding unauthorised gatherings, causing significant noise pollution and disrupting the peace of local communities.

“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,” Eng Moyo stated in an official notice.

He specified the types of venues affected: “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 council has given these establishments a two-month deadline to obtain the necessary certificates or face closure and penalties.

Simultaneously, the council is tackling the far larger issue of illegal housing developments. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume revealed that the council is struggling to collect rates from over 100,000 houses built without the required permits. This represents a significant loss of revenue for the city and exacerbates existing challenges in providing essential services.

“The irregular settlements number over 100 000 houses in and around Harare,” Mafume stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The illegal houses will soon outnumber the legal rate-paying houses of Harare. The 322 000 legal households will foot the bill for everyone.”

He highlighted the severe consequences of this uncontrolled development: “These are built on schools, clinics, open spaces and sports grounds. We stopped [demolitions] because of elections and the SADC. Children are forced to move 8kms to school. Clinics are non-existent. Houses are flooding. It has to be corrected, we are leaving out 100 000 that pay nothing to anyone.”

The council’s efforts to address the issue of illegal housing have faced significant obstacles. Previous attempts at demolition have been halted by the government, leading to ongoing challenges in managing the situation. Mafume further pointed to the involvement of land barons, often linked to politicians, who are implicated in the illegal allocation of land.

“They do not own the land. They seek no approval from anyone from start to finish. They just build at will and with no due care and regard,” Mafume explained. This highlights the complex political and economic factors contributing to the problem.

In addition to the crackdown on illegal assemblies and housing, the council is also addressing the issue of buildings occupied without certificates of occupation. Engineer Moyo issued a notice urging building owners to obtain these certificates to avoid penalties being added to their rates accounts. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with city by-laws and improve the overall safety and regulation of buildings within Harare.