Harare residents are up in arms with the city council after it warned that they would be prosecuted if they keep poultry in their backyards as this was against the capital's by-laws, according to All Africa.

Citing a report in New Zimbabwe, it says unimpressed residents said there were no jobs adding not everyone could survive from selling tomatoes and bric-a-brac.

But the local authority said the clucking and squawking roosters disturb the peace and comfort of other residents.

Director of Health Services, Dr Prosper Chonzi, insisted that council by-laws (1962) have to be respected.

"No poultry house shall be placed nearer than three metres from any boundary or nearer than six metres from premises used for human habitation," he reminded residents. "No person shall keep any poultry by reasons of continued crowing, quacking clucking, gobbling or like noise tends to destroy the comfort of neighbourhood."

He said those found on the wrong side of the law will be prosecuted.

However, residents who spoke to New Zimbabwe said the poultry projects were their only source of income, adding that not every unemployed person could sell tomatoes and trinkets.

Most residents in Harare are keeping poultry in their backyards as customers shun South African imports which they say are genetically modified and tasteless, according to the source.