Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
A STORM is brewing in Harare’s western suburbs as angry residents of Notleyvale and Mabelreign have formally petitioned the city’s leadership to shut down what they describe as an illegal open-air nightclub operating at the Sherwood Golf Club (SGC).
The petition, dated June 1, 2025, was presented to Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume and copied to Ward 17 councillor Happymore Gotora.
It outlined the residents’ grievances regarding the alleged unlawful and disruptive use of Sherwood Golf Club, a public facility situated on State land, which they said has been turned into a noisy nightlife venue.
In the document, titled “Petition by Residents of Notleyvale Mabelreign on the Nuisance and Illegality of the Occupation and Use of Sherwood Golf Club as an Open-Air Nightclub”, residents accused the city council of negligence and demand immediate intervention.
“We the undersigned residents of Notleyvale and Mabelreign are aggrieved that such unlawful operations disrupt the peace, quiet and security of the neighbourhood,” reads the petition.
The residents said the venue was no longer functioning as a legitimate golf club.
They said there was no evidence of formal membership, leadership or annual general meetings.
The residents alleged that the golf club was instead being used for commercial nightlife activities, attracting prostitution, drug peddling and muggings.
They further alleged that the lease file for Sherwood Golf Club had been suspiciously missing from the City Estates Department for several years, and that no valid lease agreement is known to exist.
According to the petition, the council has failed and refused to disclose the status of the lease.
The golf course itself, once a serene space, is now reportedly partially occupied by Apostolic sects that have erected a pit latrine on the premises.
Adding to their alarm, residents said the nearby Monavale Vlei — a protected UNESCO Ramsar site — was being degraded as a result of the unchecked activity.
“This harm to our peace, quiet, security, comfort and property investments is being inflicted by the council due to its unlawful lease agreement,” reads the petition.
The residents have called on the City of Harare to make the lease agreement public and to cancel it immediately to restore peace and order to their community.
They said the character of their suburb has been compromised and expressed outrage over being billed residential rates while enduring commercial-level disturbances.
“The nuisance at SGC has depreciated our property values and the quality of life in the suburb,” the petition reads.
The petition marked the beginning of what could be a lengthy but determined campaign by residents to reclaim their neighbourhood.
City officials have confirmed receipt of the petition and acknowledged the growing unrest on their social media pages.
They said they will issue a full statement soon.
