A bitter dispute over a popular Luveve entertainment spot has exposed growing tensions within Bulawayo City Council, with some councillors backing a nightclub accused of operating illegally while frustrated residents complain of sleepless nights and relentless noise.
At the centre of the controversy is KoSamuriwo, a high-end venue owned by Captive Sales (Pvt) Ltd at the Old Luveve Commercial Centre, commonly known as Chigumira Shopping Centre.
For several residents in Luveve 4, Enqameni, weekends have become a battle between the promise of economic activity and the simple desire for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Council documents show that development permit Number 297/2024 was issued for Stand 8617 Luveve Township for a licensed restaurant only.
However, operators later expanded the business across both Stand 8616 and Stand 8617, despite Stand 8616 not having a development permit.
Technical departments also found that the facility was built without approved plans and was operating without an occupation certificate.
“From a town planning perspective, the application was not supported since the applicant had failed to implement the development permit that was issued for a licensed restaurant ordinary,” a council report dated July 3, 2026, stated.
“There had been gross violation of the conditions of the said development permit.
- Uproar over census figures
- Byo Arts Festival in turmoil…One year later, festival has yet to pay artists…Organisers play cat and mouse with artists
- Bulawayo struggles to clear housing backlog
- Council acts tough on debts
Keep Reading
“Despite a number of notices served to the premises concerning the illegal operations, the applicant had failed to comply.”
Council’s legal officer also warned against endorsing the development.
Despite the concerns raised by technical officials, several councillors argued that the venue had brought investment and economic activity to Luveve.
Ward 18 councillor Felix Madzana described the project as an “upmarket development” for the suburb.
“The development has also brought about a lot of economic activity in Luveve,” he said.
Ward 11 councillor Susan Sithole said such investments were needed to revive Bulawayo’s economy.
Ward 22 councillor Mmeli Moyo said rejecting the application would affect economic progress.
Ward 2 councillor Adrian Moyo argued for the need to ease investment processes, while deputy chairperson Mxolisi Mahlangu said investors could be discouraged by excessive bureaucracy.
But while councillors debated investment and development, residents painted a different picture.
In a petition submitted to town clerk Christopher Dube and copied to Luveve police, residents said loud music from the venue had become unbearable.
“For some time now, residents have been subjected to very loud disco/music and entertainment noise, frequently continuing until the early hours of the morning,” the petition reads.
“The noise has become a serious disturbance to residents and is adversely affecting the peace, quiet and general quality of life within our community.”
Residents said the noise had caused sleep deprivation, stress and disrupted children’s studies, while elderly people were also affected.
“The loud music continues well beyond 8pm and, on some occasions, into the early hours of the morning,” the petition noted.
“The right of a business to operate and provide entertainment should not result in residents being deprived of sleep and peaceful enjoyment of their homes throughout the night.”
Residents called on council to investigate the source and extent of the noise, conduct official inspections and enforce existing by-laws on excessive noise and public nuisance.
Captive Sales (Pvt) Ltd has said the venue creates jobs and has pledged to install soundproofing measures and tighten security.
Council, however, stopped short of taking immediate action and instead resolved to conduct a site visit, following a proposal by Ward 15 councillor Ashton Mhlanga.
