The ManicaPost
Blessing Chafesuka
From the Town Clerk’s Desk
The City of Mutare is mandated to control and license all business premises within its area of jurisdiction.
Licensing operations are governed by legal frameworks which include the Amended Shop Licenses Act (Chapter14:17), Mutare (Public Health) (Registered Premises) by-laws of 1981 and the Mutare Food Hygiene by-laws of 1979.
General business conduct should be regulated by authorities in order to ensure orderly conduct of the business within the jurisdiction of the local authority.
This is a summarised article intended to educate the general public of the licensing procedures that should be followed for any business to acquire an operating licence in the City of Mutare.
Importance of licensing a business establishment
1. It’s a legal requirement under the Shop Licenses Act Chapter 14:17 that all businesses be licensed before opening doors for business. A shop operating without a license is illegal in terms of Section 4 of the Shop Licenses Act Chapter 14:17.
2. Business licensing guarantees adherence to given health standards, this is important for public health protection.
3. Ensures orderly marketing of goods and services.
4. Enables control of illegal trade activities.
5. A business license aids the proprietor in accessing credit facilities
6. A business license enables the operator to access wholesale markets.
New shop licence application procedure
The Licensing Section is housed at Mutare City Civic Center Rates Hall in the CBD. Licensing Officers are available at Civic Centre to provide help to all applicants get all information on licensing.
The licensing process is summarised below:
Licensing procedure:
1. Applicant collects and fills an application form upon paying application fees of USD $120 payable in either US$ or ZWL at the prevailing exchange rate.
2. The application form is sent to the Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) for processing.
3. The EHP inspects the proposed business premises against set standards.
4. If premises are compliant with minimum health standards, the applicant is requested to pay shop license fees.
5. Where premises require modification to comply, the applicant is requested in writing to carry out specified works.
6. When the works are complete, the EHP causes for re-inspection of the premises again.
7. When the outcome for a re-inspection is satisfactory, the applicant is requested to pay full license fees.
8. The license is processed and the applicant receives a message on the phone to collect the shop license.
Processing of licenses is done digitally through a licensing module and applicants are notified of progress at every stage of the processing system.
Please note that:
n Applicants applying for new licences in a commercially zoned area are granted a waiver of exemption from advertising but those applying in non-commercially zoned areas should first obtain town planning permission.
n Operating a business without possession of a shop licence is an offence
n A licence can be withdrawn or withheld if the proprietor fails to maintain minimum requirements for that business following routine inspections.
n Licensing fees shall be paid in full
n A licence must be displayed at all times at a conspicuous position.
n Shops operating without licenses pay a penalty fee as gazetted from time to time.
n Business license renewals are annualised using the anniversary approach, meaning licences expire on the date they were first issued.
