Zimbabwe govt orders soundproofing for churches

THE Government has ordered all churches operating in residential areas to install soundproofing and has imposed an immediate ban on the establishment of new fuel service stations in housing zones as part of a nationwide clampdown on urban disturbances and disorderly land use.

Announcing the measures at a press conference on land-use applications on Thursday, chief director of spatial planning and development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Shingirai Mushamba, said the intervention was meant to rein in intrusive developments that disrupt residential neighbourhoods.

"All places of worship operating in residential areas must conduct services in enclosed, soundproofed buildings," Mr Mushamba said.

He added that retail businesses would now be confined to designated commercial nodes and would no longer be allowed to carry out wholesale or distribution activities from residential properties.

In a significant shift, the Government has also banned the development of new fuel service stations in residential areas, unless they are part of approved shopping centres.

"Fuel stations must comply with statutory buffer requirements and include road widening or turning lanes to manage traffic," Mr Mushamba said.

As part of tighter controls, local authorities have been instructed to suspend all land-use change applications unless they are accompanied by written approval from the provincial planning officer.

The ministry has also made public notification compulsory, requiring councils to notify affected stakeholders of proposed land-use changes through billboards, social media platforms, official council websites and local radio stations.

Meanwhile, Government announced that an expedited waiver process for land-use changes will come into effect on February 10, 2026, as it reviews the national moratorium on change-of-use applications imposed in May 2025.

Under the new framework, developers will submit waiver applications directly to local authorities rather than to central ministry offices, effectively decentralising the initial processing of applications.

To retain oversight, councils will be required to submit weekly summaries of applications received. These will be vetted by provincial deputy directors before being forwarded to the Permanent Secretary.

Mr Mushamba said compliance would be enforced through mandatory quarterly reporting, with implementation supported by a whole-of-council approach, including the involvement of the Zimbabwe Republic Police where necessary.

The measures mark one of the most decisive government interventions yet aimed at restoring order, safety and residential tranquillity in urban areas across the country.