Churches, schools comply with council directive

GWERU –Churches and educational institutions that have been operating illegally from houses in
Gweru’s residential areas, have started to comply with the directive by the local authority to
formalise their operations.
In December last year, Gweru City Council issued an ultimatum to churches in residential areas and
illegal educational institutions operating without licences to formalise their operations by 1 January
2023.
Gweru City Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee said some churches and
educational institutions had begun applying for business stands to build their structures.
“So far we have been receiving people from churches and education institutions coming to the local
authority to apply for stands that suit their operations of business.
“We have seen some moving away from illegal places they were operating from and they have also
been applying for stands. So far so good,” she said.
The local authority first issued a public notice threatening not to renew operating licences to
businesses operating in dilapidated buildings in the Central Business District (CBD), some which have
become a danger to the public.
Some residents had turned their houses into churches, preschools or colleges without permission on
change of use of property from the local authority. This had resulted in some people complaining
about the noises emanating from such activities.