The City of Harare has shut down hundreds of shops in the central business district in an operation dubbed Operation Restore Order in response to the unchecked growth of the remodelled commercial properties
Harare is witnessing a rapid increase of uncontrolled lettable shops renting partitioned buildings and warehouses.
Many buildings in the central business district are fast being transformed into small cubicles for leasing purposes, driving out formal businesses.
While acknowledging the evolving business landscape, councillors are concerned that the proliferation of lettable shops is compromising city standards.
City fathers said the ongoing operation was aimed at enforcingcompliance with business bylaws in the city centre and surrounding areas over the next month.
The crackdown targets businesses lacking current licenses, fire safety compliance, certificates of operation, and approved building or partitioning plans, among other requirements.
According to Town House, the initiative also seeks to address rising disorder and public inconvenience, demonstrating a zero-tolerance approach to illegal trading.
The council will enforce bylaws related to trading, environmental standards, and refuse management to restore safety, order, and a conducive environment for traders and shoppers.
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Council task enforcement chairperson, Edgar Dzehonye, urged business owners to adhere to licensing, partition regulations, and property tax obligations to avoid legal consequences.
“On Monday alone, we inspected 295 business premises, and 121 were non-compliant—they had no business licenses at all, so we closed them down,” he said.
“Additionally, 16 buildings were disconnected from municipal services due to non-payment of the consolidated revenue bill.”
Dzehonye noted that many buildings had illegal partitions without approval, and about 45% failed to meet fire safety regulations.
To streamline compliance, the council has established a one-stop shop for license applications, with processing expected to take two days.
“Our message is clear: businesses must ensure they comply with partition regulations, trading licenses, and payment of the consolidated bill before our next visit,” Dzehonze added.
Acting town clerk, Jabulani Duve, emphasised the need for businesses and SMEs to adhere to council bylaws.
“Disorder in the CBD has caused significant public inconvenience,” he said.
“This operation aligns with the 2024 Call to Action programme launched by His Excellency (President Emmerson Mnangagwa), focusing on business, environmental, and refuse collection bylaws.”
The taskforce will also target illegal street car washes as part of efforts to restore order and support legitimate businesses.
Observers say the mushrooming of informal businesses is linked to the collapse of companies as more people are losing their jobs.
