The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has responded to concerns raised by Luveve residents over excessive noise and loud music from businesses operating at Chigumira Shopping Centre, saying it will monitor the premises to ensure compliance with development permit conditions.
Residents had petitioned the council calling for immediate intervention against what they described as excessive noise and loud music emanating from the shopping centre, particularly at night.
In a letter dated 25 August 2026 addressed to the residents, the Director of Town Planning acknowledged receipt of the petition and said the council would address the concerns in terms of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29:12, as well as conditions attached to development permits issued to businesses at the centre.
“Please be advised that Council has noted your concerns pertaining to excessive and loud music emanating from Chigumira Shopping Centre, and we are going to attend to your concerns in terms of the provisions of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29:12 and the conditions of the respective development permits issued,” the council said.
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According to the local authority, some businesses at the shopping centre were issued development permits to operate sports bars and licensed restaurants.
Council said the permits contain specific conditions governing the establishment and operation of the businesses, including a provision prohibiting noise pollution.
“The specific condition that relates to noise pollution states clearly that ‘No noise nuisance or nuisance of any kind shall arise from the operation of these businesses, be it a Sports Bar or a Licensed Restaurant Special’,” the council said.
The local authority said it would continue monitoring operations at the shopping centre to ensure that businesses comply with the law and conditions attached to their permits.
“Council will continue to monitor the business operations within the shopping centre in order to ensure compliance [with the] Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29:12,” it said.
The response comes after residents raised concerns over late-night noise from entertainment businesses at the shopping centre, saying the loud music was disrupting their sleep and affecting their quality of life.
They called on the council to intervene and enforce regulations governing businesses operating in the area.
However, the council’s response does not indicate whether any enforcement action has been taken against the businesses. It only confirms that the local authority will monitor their operations and assess compliance with the conditions of their development permits.
The residents’ petition and the council’s response come amid broader concerns over the compatibility of entertainment establishments with residential areas, particularly where their operations extend into late-night hours.
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