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Sallomy Matare Herald Reporter
Harare City Council has issued a stern warning to residents who have turned their houses into mini industries or offices without its approval.

In an interview on Tuesday, Harare’s corporate communications manager Michael Chideme said residents were supposed to follow proper council procedures before embarking on developments at their homes.

“According to our by-laws, those who are interested in conducting businesses at their homes should seek approval from us and we can approve or disapprove depending on the type of development they want to do,” he said.

“There are some activities which are not suitable in some areas, for example we cannot allow people to operate a grinding mill in suburbs.”

Mr Chideme said council was going to come down hard on those who fall foul of the city’s by-laws.  “There are some residents whose proposals we condemned, but they proceeded to convert their homes into business premises, while others just converted them without even applying,” he said.

“These people will be punished to the full extent of the law.

“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.”

According to Harare (Prevention of Illegal Activities) By-Law 2016, illegal activities on any premises attract a fine or face imprisonment of up to 15 days.