Bulawayo councillors have thrown their weight behind a controversial proposal to establish a nightclub in Luveve despite officials warning that the business is operating from buildings constructed without approved plans.
The recommendation, adopted by the council’s town lands and planning committee, overturns the department of town planning’s position, which had advised that Captive Sales (Pvt) Ltd should not be granted preliminary planning permission for a nightclub on Stand 8616, Luveve Township, citing what it described as “gross violation” of planning requirements.
“The business was operating on premises constructed without approved building plans by council and as a result council had not issued them with an occupation certificate,” the report said.
Council officials also noted that the premises, popularly known as KoSamuriwo, had originally been granted a development permit in 2024 to operate only as a licensed ordinary restaurant on Stand 8617, but had since expanded operations onto Stand 8616, which has no development permit.
“It should, however, be noted that the conditions of the development permit were never fully implemented,” the report reads.
The department of town planning said it had written to the applicant “a number of times” demanding compliance with the permit conditions and had also received complaints from nearby residents over excessive noise.
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“There had been gross violation of the conditions of the said development permit. Despite a number of notices served to the premises concerning the illegal operations the applicant had failed to comply,” the report reads.
The department consequently recommended that “the preliminary planning permission to establish a night club on Stand 8616 Luveve Township by Captive Sales (Pvt) Ltd be not acceded to.”
However, councillors overwhelmingly rejected the recommendation, arguing that the investment would stimulate Bulawayo’s struggling economy.
Councillor Felix Takunda Madzana described the development as an upmarket investment that could transform entertainment in the city’s western suburbs.
“lt has also brought about a lot of economic activity in Luveve,” Madzana said, comparing it to the Sun City leisure complex in Zvishavane, which he said had become a tourist attraction.
Councillor Ashton Mhlanga blamed slow development approvals by council for encouraging illegal business activity elsewhere.
Councillor Suzan Sithole also opposed the planners’ recommendation, saying Bulawayo needed investment to revive its economy.
“Having such places in the city indicates development. The city’s economic activities are very low and this calls on council to revive the city’s economy,” she said.
Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo argued that refusing the application would undermine investment, saying the applicant had already built “a high-end facility” that was recognised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
Deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu also backed the application, saying the investment should be supported because it would create economic opportunities, while insisting the applicant must still comply with council requirements.
The committee’s deputy chairperson, councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu, warned that excessive bureaucracy was discouraging investors.
“No investor would want to invest in the City with a lot of bureaucracy,” Mahlangu said.
“High levels of bureaucracy deterred investment as complex regulations and administrative delays created costly barriers for businesses.”
Despite the councillors’ support, council’s legal officer warned that planning laws could not be ignored.
“Council’s standards should be adhered to,” the legal officer said.
“The construction was done without any approved plans. Council did not encourage this.
“This was posing a lot of danger to residents. The applicant should submit building plans forthwith.”
The committee resolved to recommend that preliminary planning permission for the nightclub be granted.