Businesses face closure as COH launches CBD crackd...

Businesses face closure as COH launches CBD crackdown

ZimNow News Desk

The City of Harare’s Operation CBD Restoration is officially underway and the local authority has said businesses across Harare’s CBD found lacking requisite paperwork will be immediately shut down.

According to a statement issued by the authority these requirements encompass:

• Valid development permits or certified building plans

• A Certificate of Occupation (COO)

• A valid business license (Class 1 to 9)

• All property tax, refuse, sewer, water consumption arrears

• Functional emergency equipment (fire hydrants, extinguishers)

Some of the licensing costs guidelines are shown below:

A recent Zimstat survey report showed that the large majority of small businesses in Harare are unregistered and therefore lack the necessary paperwork.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/15650/76-of-zim-businesses-unregistered-zimstat

Punitive taxes and licensing charges have been listed as the main hindrances to formalisation and compliance, a situation that Finance Minister has promised to address in the next few days.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/15726/mthuli-promises-sweeping-sme-reforms-within-2-weeks

COH has vowed to enforce compliance through demolition notices, service disconnections, and hefty penalties.

Business owners are urged to seek help at the Rowan Martin Help Desk and make payment plans if they are not compliant.