Johnson Progress

The City of Harare has warned that it will shut down several malls in the Avenues area and surrounding suburbs for breaching municipal by-laws.

Many residential buildings in these areas have been converted into commercial spaces without approval, prompting the city council to take action.

According to Stanley Gama, the CBD Order Restoration Operation will soon extend to residential and industrial areas.

“The operation is still ongoing and has intensified,” Gama said.

“After completing it in the city centre, we will go to the industrial areas across town.”

Gama emphasized that the city will verify if businesses have complied with changing the building purpose from residential to offices and close those that have not complied.

The areas affected include Eastlea, Milton Park, Belvedere, Belgravia, and Avondale, which remain residential zones despite many properties being repurposed for commercial use.

“We know these are residential areas and very few have complied,” Gama said, adding that many businesses in the Avenues area have not complied with municipal regulations.

The Harare City Council has already closed 1,830 businesses found operating without proper authorization.

The council acknowledged that the operation, originally scheduled to finish by September 30, 2025, will take longer than expected as inspections continue across the city.

Gama urged businesses struggling to meet compliance requirements to visit the Rowan Martin Building to arrange payment plans.

This move aims to support businesses in meeting the necessary regulations and avoiding closure.

The City of Harare has made significant progress in its operation, with notable improvements in revenue collection and compliance levels.

The operation aims to restore order and promote a conducive environment for business, ultimately strengthening investor confidence and ensuring lawful operations across Harare.

The city council has emphasized that it will continue to issue closure orders for non-compliant businesses.

“All businesses which are not compliant to Council by-laws and regulations are being closed,” the council warned, urging businesses to cooperate with officials to avoid disruptions.

The operation is expected to continue until full compliance is achieved across Harare, with the city council committed to enforcing municipal regulations and promoting a safe and orderly business environment.