News / National
'Churches are too noisy'
18 Aug 2014 at 09:09hrs | Views
The Harare City Council is set to take stern measures on churches located in residential areas accused of making noise and disturbing residents' peace.
A number of churches in the residential areas have been accused of making noise, especially during the evenings, with some residents appealing to the local authority to deal with noise pollution.
According to minutes from the latest full council meeting, the finance and development committee resolved to deal with the issue and tasked the director of works to take necessary action on churches making noise in the suburbs.
"Arising from the discussion on approval of open market valuation of a church stand, the committee expressed the need for the director of works to take necessary action to control such noise in residential areas ad report to the environmental management committee," read the minutes.
There is no tangible law enforcement as far as noise pollution is concerned in the country.
Environmental Management Agency once said offenders would pay fines of up to $5 000 or go to jail for a maximum of one year for disturbing neighbors through noise emanating from radios.
But the maximum fine has been $20, payable to the police.
Meanwhile residents have blasted HCC for not taking Christians seriously.
Harare Residents Trust spokesperson, Precious Shumba said despite some residents expressing concerns over increased numbers of churches within residential areas, council needed to deal with the matter professionally.
"What is their definition of noise? The City of Harare must deal first with its planning, monitoring and evaluation systems to reflect citizens' actual needs. The tragedy of Harare is that everything is adhoc managed, meaning their approach is reactionary instead of being pro-active.
"The Christians gathering to worship the true living God must not be harassed and abused by council officials who believe that their own churches are more superior to the community churches. It is, however, very true that some residents have expressed concerns about the increasing number of churches within residential areas. A harmonised approach is required to resolve this situation, by bringing together councillors, council officials, church leaders and the community to find a lasting solution," said Shumba.
A number of churches in the residential areas have been accused of making noise, especially during the evenings, with some residents appealing to the local authority to deal with noise pollution.
According to minutes from the latest full council meeting, the finance and development committee resolved to deal with the issue and tasked the director of works to take necessary action on churches making noise in the suburbs.
"Arising from the discussion on approval of open market valuation of a church stand, the committee expressed the need for the director of works to take necessary action to control such noise in residential areas ad report to the environmental management committee," read the minutes.
There is no tangible law enforcement as far as noise pollution is concerned in the country.
Environmental Management Agency once said offenders would pay fines of up to $5 000 or go to jail for a maximum of one year for disturbing neighbors through noise emanating from radios.
But the maximum fine has been $20, payable to the police.
Meanwhile residents have blasted HCC for not taking Christians seriously.
Harare Residents Trust spokesperson, Precious Shumba said despite some residents expressing concerns over increased numbers of churches within residential areas, council needed to deal with the matter professionally.
"What is their definition of noise? The City of Harare must deal first with its planning, monitoring and evaluation systems to reflect citizens' actual needs. The tragedy of Harare is that everything is adhoc managed, meaning their approach is reactionary instead of being pro-active.
"The Christians gathering to worship the true living God must not be harassed and abused by council officials who believe that their own churches are more superior to the community churches. It is, however, very true that some residents have expressed concerns about the increasing number of churches within residential areas. A harmonised approach is required to resolve this situation, by bringing together councillors, council officials, church leaders and the community to find a lasting solution," said Shumba.
Source - Zim Mail
