Online Reporter
Nokuthula Dube
HARARE City Council collected US$186 729 and ZiG1,5 million after its building inspectorate issued 156 certificates of occupation and 69 for places of assembly between January and March.
This follows a 60-day ultimatum issued last year to property owners and occupants, including churches, cinemas, restaurants and universities to regularise their operations.
According to a report prepared by the building inspectorate, the bulk of the certificates and money were issued and collected in February.
A total of 92 certificates were issued during the month, while US$67 944 and ZiG673 115 was collected.
In January, the department issued 84 certificates and collected US$68 251 and ZiG332 322.
In March the department issued 49 certificates and collected US$50 534,99 and ZiG591 809,82.
In an interview, the City’s head of corporate communications Mr Stanley Gama said there had been a low turnout of business owners registering their properties and penalties will soon be enforced, once council finalises its penalty fees.
“We will initiate a blitz to ensure non-compliant entities are held accountable. We will instruct the Finance Department to apply a monthly fee equivalent to the certificate costs until compliance is achieved. Instead of shutting down businesses, we’re opting for penalties,” he said.
This initiative is part of the broader goal to restore the Sunshine City legacy by 2025 and enhance service delivery to Harare residents.
Property owners were given an opportunity to register their buildings and improve their infrastructure, helping the City better manage its responsibilities.
“Failure to comply will result in licence revocation. Alternatively, property owners may register annually, paying a fee ranging from US$100 to US$200, based on the building’s size and location,” said Mr Gama.
He emphasised the dangers posed by buildings exceeding capacity.
“These buildings often house more people than they should, which creates serious health risks due to overcrowding and inadequate resources.
“Some business owners misrepresent the number of their occupancy, listing only a handful of people when, in reality, the buildings have hundreds,” he said.
The city is also aware of several buildings operating without the required Certificates of Place of Assembly, violating the Building Fees and Related Matters By-laws of 1979.
To enforce compliance, inspections will be conducted every weekend.
