This move seeks to restore order, particularly in the
Harare central business district (CBD) where churches, bottle stores, bars and
schools are operating without following laid down regulations to do with safety
and maintenance of public order.
While Zimbabwe guarantees freedom of religion in the
Constitution, all enclosed places where large numbers gather must meet laid
down standards such as emergency exits, ventilation, provision of toilets, be
inspected and obtain and display their certificate of assembly.
Church premises which meet the regulations have
certificates which lay down the maximum number who can assemble at any one time
and those running the church are obliged to ensure that all potential exits are
unlocked during services and that a minimum number of windows are open.
Licensing arrangements for places of assembly also take
into account town planning regulations.
This is why it is relatively easy for church premises to be
licensed where there are laid out council plans for such land use.
Churches are usually located in certain parts of the city
as other premises need to go through the planning process which includes
consulting neighbours and sorting out traffic and parking requirements in
advance.
Amid complaints by some Harare residents, the city gave
those operating either churches, beerhalls or any other gathering without
licences to vacate the premises in the next two months or face forceful
evictions.
Harare acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo cited
owners or administrators of indoor assemblies such as churches, halls, hotels,
restaurants, schools, universities, colleges, cinemas, beer halls, and sports
clubs, to take notice.
“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, the council is going to close down
or penalise those who remain non-compliant in the next two months from the date
of this notice,” he said.
Eng Moyo said owners of such buildings are advised to visit
the council’s building inspectorate offices as failure to comply will result in
penalty charges being levied on the owners’ rates account.
The city is also clamping down on all buildings that have
been occupied without obtaining certificates of occupation.
Eng Moyo said the council is aware that various buildings
have been completed and occupied without the owners obtaining Certificates of
Occupation from the Building Inspectorate.
He said this violates Chapter 2 Section 44 of the Model
By-laws of 1977 and Section 5 of the (Fees and Related Matters by-law of 1979).
Eng Moyo said owners of such buildings are advised to visit
the council’s building inspector’s offices or district offices for payment and
processing of any outstanding certificates failure of which penalty charges
will be levied on the owners” rates accounts. Herald
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