Council descends on home churches

Desire Ncube
Religion Writer
HARARE City Council is ready to descend on home owners who have converted their premises into churches in contravention of stipulated by laws, an official has said.
Harare City Council communication principal officer Mr Michael Chideme said residents being affected should quickly approach them so that they can rectify the ever increasing nuisance in the city.
The decision follows the sprouting of miracle inspired churches that are led by young prophets and pastors who have since invaded residential areas.
Most of these churches are operating in residential areas and at times make use of high powered public address systems that have become a nuisance to other residents.
Mr Chideme said residents should work with council to end this annoyance.
“Residents are free to approach our offices, notifying us on what is happening in their residential areas, for example if there are worshippers disturbing their peace,” Mr Chideme said.
“We have no problem with people worshipping at designated places, that is why the council has set aside places only meant for that.
“Worshippers should know that council has by-laws such as Residential Properties and Noise by-laws which should be observed. If people choose to breech these by-laws, council will not hesitate to take decisive action,” warned Mr Chideme.
The Residential Properties by-law (1974 SI 461/74) forbids people to change land use without council approval.
Mr Chideme added that ‘home churches’ are also a threat to health since the sanitation and water systems at those premises is only meant to cater for a few family members.
The Sunday Mail Religion visited the high density suburbs of Mufakose, Kambuzuma, and Budiriro and witnessed ‘home churches’ in full session.
Some of the churches’ parking space was encroaching into their neighbours’ yards with host yards proving too small to accommodate the numbers.
A leader of one of the churches said, “We are here to serve the Lord and we can serve the Lord everywhere and every time. I understand that there are some residents who do not attend church services but I am surprised to hear one castigating the practice in any place.
“I have been running a church at this place for the past three years and I haven’t received any complaints,” said Pastor Portia Mwale from Budiriro 5.
While people take weekends to relax, home-based churches seem to have become a thorn in the flesh to some residents.
“It is so irritating that after a week at work, you are trying to settle down and rest, and there are worshippers in the next house who spend the whole Sunday singing, shouting and dancing.
Most people interviewed by The Sunday Mail Religion expressed their displeasure at these worshippers, saying the gatherings are disturbing their peace.
“I am a Christian, but I have my own way of doing things. It is hard to go and silence them, but deep down in my heart, I know it is not good,” said Mr Happymore Shumba of Mufakose.
“Responsible authorities need to do something. A residential area is a residential area and people need peace and tranquillity. We understand that this is “ghetto” but this is too much.
“We need to rest during weekends, but the disturbance we get from home churches is very irritating. I think people need to gather in homes maybe once a month, but if it’s five times a week like my neighbour does, it becomes very disturbing,” said a Budiriro 5 woman who declined to be named.
Mr Kudakwashe Mhanga of Budiriro 5 urged the city fathers to work on the enforcement of noise regulations.
“The issue of noise is really a problem here and the council should ban all home churches.
“Those who use designated areas should be regulated to use speakers which correspond to the number of worshippers they have because it does not make sense to have a church with 50 people using 10 speakers when one would be sufficiently audible,” explained Mr Mhanga.
Mr Saddam Phiri of Evangelism Moving Team said they converted their home into a worshipping place as their ministry is still too small to meet financial obligations.
“We cannot apply for a stand because as a young ministry we cannot meet the financial obligations.
“To hire a venue is also expensive. So at the end of the day we use what we have — our homes,” said Mr Phiri.