News / Religion
Harare council comes hard on worshiping
29 Jun 2015 at 13:09hrs | Views
HARARE CITY COUNCIL has proposed a raft of tough regulations that seek to control worship in open spaces.
Apostolic sects have invaded open spaces in the capital using them as places of worship.
Top Zanu PF officials including President Robert Mugabe have attended gatherings of some of the sects clad in white garments.
Now the local authority seeks to introduce stringent regulations with tough penalties attached.
Harare (Control of Worship in Open Spaces) By-laws, 2015 says "It is hereby notified that the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has in terms of Section 229 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) approved the following by-laws made by the Municipality of Harare".
"Open Space" is defined as any open space to which the public or any section of the public has access or any area which has been designated for development under a town planning scheme but remains undeveloped and can be used for the purposes approved under these by-laws.
"No person or persons shall gather in an open space for purposes of worship unless a permit has been issued by the Council.
"No person or persons shall gather in an open space for purposes of worship unless a permit has been issued by the Council and the appropriate fee paid to the Council, which fee shall be determined by Council from time to time".
The permit would be renewed annually at a fee set by Council from time to time.
Council shall designate places or areas where persons can gather for purposes of public worship provided that such areas have toilet facilities of a temporary or permanent nature approved by the Council, and potable water.
Any person or persons intending to conduct open air worship, the person or persons shall submit an application through the environmental health officer (EHO) to Council.
However, council may or may not approve such application taking into account the provisions of the Public Health Act and the Environmental Management Act and other Council by-laws including but not limited to Anti-litter and public health by-laws.
Another regulation bans people from cutting down any tree on the open space without prior council approval.
Worship time will be restricted from 1000hrs to 1800hrs.
On penalties, council said any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of these by-laws shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five (5) or fifteen (15) days imprisonment or both such fine and imprisonment.
Apostolic sects have invaded open spaces in the capital using them as places of worship.
Top Zanu PF officials including President Robert Mugabe have attended gatherings of some of the sects clad in white garments.
Now the local authority seeks to introduce stringent regulations with tough penalties attached.
Harare (Control of Worship in Open Spaces) By-laws, 2015 says "It is hereby notified that the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has in terms of Section 229 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) approved the following by-laws made by the Municipality of Harare".
"Open Space" is defined as any open space to which the public or any section of the public has access or any area which has been designated for development under a town planning scheme but remains undeveloped and can be used for the purposes approved under these by-laws.
"No person or persons shall gather in an open space for purposes of worship unless a permit has been issued by the Council.
"No person or persons shall gather in an open space for purposes of worship unless a permit has been issued by the Council and the appropriate fee paid to the Council, which fee shall be determined by Council from time to time".
The permit would be renewed annually at a fee set by Council from time to time.
Council shall designate places or areas where persons can gather for purposes of public worship provided that such areas have toilet facilities of a temporary or permanent nature approved by the Council, and potable water.
Any person or persons intending to conduct open air worship, the person or persons shall submit an application through the environmental health officer (EHO) to Council.
However, council may or may not approve such application taking into account the provisions of the Public Health Act and the Environmental Management Act and other Council by-laws including but not limited to Anti-litter and public health by-laws.
Another regulation bans people from cutting down any tree on the open space without prior council approval.
Worship time will be restricted from 1000hrs to 1800hrs.
On penalties, council said any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of these by-laws shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five (5) or fifteen (15) days imprisonment or both such fine and imprisonment.
Source - Harare City Council
