Harare Targets Unlicensed Businesses Citywide

ZimNow Reporter

The City of Harare has launched a citywide crackdown on unlicensed businesses and rate defaulters, warning of water disconnections and shutdowns of non-compliant premises.

Acting Town Clerk Engineer Phakamile Moyo said, “We are clamping down on lawlessness and illegal business operations in and around the city. All people operating businesses must pay their rates, settle their arrears, and obtain valid business licences.”

He said the operation will cover the central business district, industrial zones, and all suburbs, targeting both single tenant and multi-tenant properties.

“We will disconnect water from all commercial and industrial properties that are in arrears and have no valid business licences,” said Moyo.

He added that the City Health Department would also move in on unsafe and unlicensed operations.

“We are inspecting premises, and we will close down those operating without running water, which is a violation of the Public Health Act and Harare Licensed Premises By-Law,” Moyo said.

He urged landlords with multiple tenants to ensure full compliance. “Premises with more than one tenant must make sure all of them pay their rates and business licences to avoid the whole building being shut down due to non-compliance by one or two tenants,” he said.

Moyo said business owners without licences should act immediately. “We are urging them to visit Rowan Martin building to regularise their operations and settle their arrears,” he said.