‘Show Some Care And Respect’: These New Churches Are Too Dang Loud
HARARE, Zimbabwe — The rise of charismatic Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe in the last two decades has resulted in the faith groups using open spaces and acquiring stands within residential suburbs to conduct church services. The services include prayer meetings, all-night fellowship and praise and worship concerts.
In the townships and suburbs dotted around Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, residents are raising concerns about unregulated noise from churches.
Powerful loudspeakers, amplified sermons, and energetic gospel music echo through many residential neighbourhoods. But for thousands of residents in Harare, what was once a symbol of spiritual life has become a source of growing frustration and concern.
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Most conservative churches, such as the Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Dutch Reformed and Methodist, use their decades-long preserved buildings and comply with the laws, which include soundproofing church structures — measures that the new churches lack.
In Africa, Zimbabwe included, a church service is characterized by singing, dancing and loud vocals as a show of praise and worship. But residents who spend most of their day at work say their rights are now being infringed, as they want to peace and quiet when they come home. The elderly and caretakers of the sick have also weighed in.
“We need rest when we come home, and it means a peaceful environment,” said Rufaro Kwaramba, a Harare resident. “These churches must at least show care and respect to others who are not part of their crowds. We also have people sick and on bed rest in our homes. Worshipping without being concerned or complying with the laws does not give a compassionate image that a church must reflect.”
As noise pollution from religious gatherings intensifies, the authorities are now moving to enforce stricter regulations on worship services conducted in neighborhoods. Mayor of the City of Harare, Councillor Jacob Mafume, warned that the city council will seize the audio equipment from churches if they continue broadcasting all-night prayer sessions that disturb residents.
Zimbabwe is a predominantly Christian nation, and freedom of religion is constitutionally protected.
Harare City Council officials acknowledge the tension between religious expression and residents’ rights. City authorities have stressed that while worship is protected, noise pollution is prohibited both in residential areas and in the central business district.
Concerned residents said the noise not only affects those who work, but also the genreal pubic looking to get some sleep, and school children studying during the night.
“Most of the learners study during the night. It's cool, and there is more concentration, which helps them to achieve good marks. But, with these night prayer sessions on loudspeakers, their study routine is affected severely,” said Sophia Makamure, a teacher at a local private school in Kambuzuma, Harare.
Harare has experienced rapid population growth in recent decades, while municipal infrastructure and regulatory enforcement have struggled to keep pace.
“It seems they are forcing everyone to be at the church service. The noise and words sung or spoken get to our homes clearly due to high volume; it's so loud and noisy,” Makamure added.
Zimbabwe already has regulations designed to control excessive noise. The Harare Noise by-Laws of 2014, enacted under the Urban Councils Act, empower city authorities to penalize individuals or organisations that generate excessive noise.
“No person is allowed to operate loudspeakers, amplifiers, musical instruments, or similar devices in a manner that disturbs or interferes with the rest, peace, or tranquillity of any occupier of premises, or in any public street/place, ” reads one clause of the bylaw.
The city also introduced the Control of Worship in Open Spaces By-Laws in 2016, which regulate open-air religious gatherings and limit them to specific hours to prevent disturbances in nearby communities.
The legislation is aimed at protecting public peace and ensuring residential areas are not unduly disturbed. As the city council takes measures to protect residents, churches are expected to join bars and nightclubs, which are already subject to such provisions.
“If we are praying all night, we must pray ourselves. We must not include everyone in our prayers by putting speakers outside and then trying to convert the whole neighborhood to our own beliefs,” said Harare’s Mayor Jacob Mafume.
Most of the noise is in the high-density suburbs, where churches draw big crowds.
Mafume said the council plans to meet with church leaders to address growing complaints from residents over excessive noise during overnight services.
The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing gave an order to all churches in residential areas and the central business district to install soundproofing as part of a crackdown on noise pollution in urban zones.
Shingirai Mushamba, chief director of spatial planning and development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, said the new measures will require places of worship to take steps to minimize noise disturbances.
“Every place of worship operating in residential areas will now need to conduct services in enclosed, soundproofed buildings,” Mushamba said when announcing the policy.
The directive also includes stricter planning rules for religious institutions operating within residential zones.
In the Central Business District during lunchtime, streets and buildings buzz from the noise of the so-called “lunch services,” which are interdenominational services conducted by those at work in town during the lunch break.
Council officials said discussions with church leaders would aim to balance the constitutional right to worship with the need to maintain peace in both residential and business areas.
Residents raised concerns about the implementation, citing that weak and inconsistent enforcement persists.
Community organizations welcomed the government’s intervention. The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) said residents had endured excessive noise pollution from some churches for more than a decade.
The group argues that enforcement of noise regulations will help restore peaceful living conditions in many neighborhoods.
“For over a decade, residents have endured excessive noise pollution, particularly from some churches operating in residential areas despite clear legal provisions,” said ZNOART National Chairman Shalvar Chikomba.
Calvin Manika is an award-winning international journalist based in Zimbabwe.