New: Government Orders Soundproofing for Churches, Bans Fuel Stations in Residential Areas

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 crackdown on urban disturbances.

Speaking 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 measures were aimed at regulating obtrusive developments in residential neighbourhoods.

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

He said retail businesses would also be restricted to designated commercial nodes and barred from operating wholesale or distribution activities within residential areas.

Further, fuel service stations would no longer be permitted in residential zones unless they form part of approved shopping centres.

“Fuel stations must comply with statutory buffer requirements and include road widening or turning lanes to manage traffic,” he said.

Local authorities have been directed to suspend all land-use change applications unless they carry written approval from the provincial planning officer.

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

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

Under the new system, developers will submit waiver applications directly to local councils instead of central ministry offices, shifting initial processing to the local level.

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

Mr Mushamba said compliance would be monitored through mandatory quarterly reports, with enforcement supported by a whole-of-council approach involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police, where necessary.