Harare – The Harare City Council (HCC) has shut down 1830 businesses in the Central Business District of the capital for flouting regulations that include failure to pay water services and operating without licences.
The city council said the operation to restore order and sanity in the city centre started on 15 September 2025 and is continuing.
”The City of Harare continues to urge business people and building owners in the CBD to immediately regularize their operations with the City to ensure total compliance,” the HCC said.
According to latest statistics released by the city council, 1830 buildings were closed, 81 buildings had their water supply disconnected for lack of payment and 1471 businesses had no operating licences.
The city council said 709 buildings were built without approval and plans while 125 businesses did not have fire extinguishers.
At least 609 buildings did not have subdivisions permits, the city said. Some buildings in the city are subdividing their premises for small shops congesting the city.
The city said 534 buildings have arrears with the council.
The HCC is battling to raise funds to provide residents with clean water, fix broken sewer pipes and collect garbage among other things.
However, corruption within council and other influential actors in the city are involved in looting council resources.
The city has complained that influential politicians and individuals are involved in gravel theft at Warren Park hills and stealing of concrete at Harare xx
The council is not getting anything from heavy trucks that mine gravel for day and night on council land.
A commission of inquiry on the operations of the Harare council exposed massive corruption.
Some of the exposed corruption including looting of Harare Quarry stone, mismanagement of revenue from City Park and use of council property without approval among many issues.
Harare city closes 1830 businesses for flouting regulations
