Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume
Staff Writer
A total of 1830 business entities that that were operating illegally have been closed under Harare City Council’s Operation Restore Order as at 15 September 2025.
In a statement Harare City Council urged building owners in the Central Business District (CBD) to regularize their operations.
“As at 15th September 2025, the City of Harare continues to urge business people and building owners in the CBD to immediately regularize their operations with the City to ensure total compliance,” read the statement.
“The latest statistics of the operation are as follows:
Total number of businesses closed – 1830, buildings with arrears – 534, total number of buildings with disconnected water – 81, businesses without licenses – 1471, number of buildings without building plans approved – 609, buildings with building plans approved – 2712, buildings with expired fire extinguishers – 125, buildings with fire certification – 3814, number of buildings without subdivision permits – 744.”
The City of Harare launched Operation Restore Order, a sweeping campaign aimed at restoring order in the capital’s commercial district. The operation, which started on 29 July 2025, targets unlicensed and non-compliant businesses.