In a public notice issued on 15 October, Acting Town Clerk Warren Chiwawa said the directive targets murals and under-awning and verandah signs that have mushroomed across the city centre.
He said many of the signs, particularly hand-painted murals plastered across shop fronts and oversized boards hanging under verandahs, do not comply with the Harare (Control of Advertising Signs) By-Law, which requires all advertising signs to have a valid council permit and approved plans.
The exercise is part of Operation Chenesa Harare, the council’s city-wide campaign to restore order and create a clean, safe and well-organised capital. Under the operation, the council wants to bring uniformity to signage in the CBD.
Chiwawa said approved dimensions are 0.9 metres by 0.3 metres for under-awning and verandah signs and 1.2 metres by 0.4 metres for facade signs above shop entrances, adding that anything outside those measurements, or erected without permission, must be removed.
The council said particular attention will be paid to First Street and surrounding areas. Businesses that fail to comply will have their signs removed by the council at their own expense.