Bulawayo struggling to contain a surge in open-air worship gatherings

Bulawayo City Council says it is struggling to contain a surge in open-air worship gatherings by white-garment churches, despite repeated raids, awareness campaigns and confiscations of equipment. According to the latest Parks Section monthly report, the practice remains widespread across the city, with congregants continuing to gather in undesignated spaces even after prohibition.

The council described open-air worship as a growing nuisance, noting that interventions through outreach programmes, community meetings and media awareness have produced limited success. Municipal rangers confiscated tents and garments from 18 worship sites during the month under review, including areas such as Mzilikazi, Nemba roundabout, Nguboyenja, Flyover Khama Road, Mpopoma, Thorngrove and Woodville. Despite these actions, gatherings reportedly persist.

The report also highlights the continued pressure on Bulawayo's environmental ecosystems, particularly water catchment areas affected by illegal mining. Housing and community services director Dictor Khumalo said joint patrols between council rangers and police in Esigodini resulted in the arrest of nine illegal gold panners, bringing the total number of offenders apprehended since January to 79. Authorities confiscated 59 mining tools, including three metal detectors, which were submitted to police as court exhibits.

A total of 71 surveillance operations were conducted in the period under review, increasing the yearly tally to 1 163. In Greater Bulawayo, rangers carried out routine patrols targeting illegal mining, sand poaching and wood harvesting. Four trucks were impounded for extracting sand without council approval, while 37 fines were issued for various offences. Twenty-nine of these fines have been paid, bringing in just over US$2 375, while eight remain outstanding, valued at US$1 064.

The sale of firewood from donkey-drawn carts has reportedly increased around the city, a trend attributed to persistent power outages. Council officials noted that wood poachers are increasingly operating during the night to evade arrest, forcing rangers to extend their patrol hours to counter the new tactics. Sixty-eight surveillance patrols were conducted in the latest reporting period, and authorities say illegal mining appears to have declined as a result.

Sand extraction activities also continued under regulated council oversight. Thirty-three trucks collected pit sand from authorised municipal sites, generating US$490 in revenue and bringing the total number of recorded collections since January to 320.

Meanwhile, the municipality reported that a livestock auction held on October 3 at the Luveve BCC Pound generated US$8 042. However, stray livestock continues to be a major challenge, particularly in suburbs bordering peri-urban zones such as Cowdray Park, Pumula and Magwegwe North. The Lands Inspectorate is reportedly struggling to remove roaming animals due to transport limitations, with the rangers' service vehicle still grounded at Top Workshop.

Bulawayo City Council says environmental protection, land stewardship and adherence to municipal by-laws remain its priority, but enforcement remains constrained by resource challenges and growing non-compliance across sectors.