By Ebi Kesiena
The Zimbabwean government has directed all churches operating within residential neighbourhoods to install soundproofing, as part of a sweeping set of measures aimed at curbing urban disturbances and enforcing orderly land use.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was announced during a press briefing on land-use applications by the Chief Director of Spatial Planning and Development at the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Shingirai Mushamba. He said the measures were designed to rein in intrusive developments that undermine the peace, safety and character of residential communities.
According to Mushamba, all places of worship located in housing areas must now conduct services strictly within enclosed, soundproofed buildings to minimise noise pollution and disturbance to residents.
Beyond religious centres, the government has also tightened regulations on commercial activities in residential zones. Retail businesses will now be restricted to designated commercial nodes and will no longer be permitted to run wholesale or distribution operations from residential properties.
In a significant policy shift, authorities have imposed an outright ban on the development of new fuel service stations in residential areas, except where such facilities form part of approved shopping complexes. Mushamba stressed that existing and future fuel stations must comply with statutory buffer requirements and incorporate traffic management infrastructure such as road widening or turning lanes.
“Fuel stations must adhere strictly to planning standards to ensure safety and ease traffic congestion,” he said.
As part of the clampdown, local authorities have been instructed to suspend all land-use change applications unless they are supported by written clearance from the provincial planning officer. The ministry has also made public notification mandatory, requiring councils to inform affected stakeholders of proposed land-use changes through billboards, social media platforms, official council websites and local radio stations.
Meanwhile, the government announced that an expedited waiver process for land-use changes will take effect from February 10, 2026, as it reviews the national moratorium on change-of-use applications imposed in May 2025.
Under the new framework, developers will submit waiver applications directly to local authorities, rather than central ministry offices, effectively decentralising the initial stage of application processing. To maintain oversight, councils will be required to submit weekly summaries of all applications received, which will be vetted by provincial deputy directors before being forwarded to the Permanent Secretary.
Mushamba said compliance would be enforced through mandatory quarterly reporting, with implementation supported by a whole-of-council approach, including collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police where necessary.
He described the measures as one of the most decisive government interventions in recent years, aimed at restoring order, safety and tranquillity in urban residential areas across the country.
