Zimbabwe orders residential churches to soundproof

Churches blasting worship music through residential streets just got hit with a government order forcing them to soundproof their buildings or face police action.

Pentecostal congregations are the main target

• Mushamba announced all worship services in neighborhoods must happen inside soundproofed structures.
• The rule tackles years of complaints about amplified preaching and singing disrupting suburbs.
• Churches will need acoustic insulation, sealed windows, and proper doors to contain noise.

Councils will file reports every three months

• Local authorities must track compliance and submit quarterly updates to central government.
• Police can get involved if congregations refuse to install the required soundproofing.
• The whole-of-council approach signals the regime is done issuing warnings without teeth.

Land-use permits are getting overhauled too

• A provincial approval freeze is under review after a national moratorium started in May.
• An expedited waiver system kicks off on February 10, 2026, streamlining some applications.
• Councils must now post land-change proposals on billboards, social media, and radio stations.