Council to sniff out illegal home businesses

HARARE City Council intends to inspect residential areas to sniff out illegal home businesses and illegal construction of houses.

This is in line with the new council by-law, the Harare (Prevention of Illegal Activities) By-Law 2016, which is meant to stop illegal activities in the city.

Commercial and industrial premises will also be inspected.

Those caught breaching the by-law will be fined or face imprisonment of up to 15 days.

In an interview yesterday, Harare City Council acting corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said these illegal activities included business such as soap and candle making.

“The illegal activities in residential areas include illegal construction or extension of houses, business such as soap and candle making as well as turning houses into offices.

“One should have a licence for business operation. The prevention of illegal activities by-law empowers council to transfer the charge or penalty to the property owner’s monthly bill in the event that one fails to pay on the spot.

“The by-law empowers city officials to enter any premises for the purpose of inspection to ensure compliance with by-laws.

“It prohibits illegal activities on any premises, be it commercial, industrial or residential,” said Mr Chideme.

According to recent council minutes, Harare City Council acting chamber secretary Mr Charles Kandemiri, said council was updating all its by-laws to match current global trends.

Mr Kandemiri said there had been a huge gap in council’s legislative framework, especially when it came to dealing with illegal activities.

“Council has been facing challenges such as lawsuits in implementing its various by-laws because of the gaps that existed in the various pieces of legislation. Council is now effectively empowered to charge for illegal activities,” read the minutes.

Council has since called on home businesses to pay for their business licences as part of the regularisation of their operations.