Senior government officials have issued conflicting statements over the banning of dark tints on vehicle windows, exposing discord and confusion in the administration’s communication.
On Tuesday, 2 September, Tafadzwa Muguti, Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet, directed all private and public motorists to remove tinted windows from their vehicles with immediate effect as part of efforts to combat crime.
Announcing the measure at a press conference in Harare, Muguti said the decision followed a rise in crimes committed in vehicles with obscured windows.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndavaningi Mangwana, echoed Muguti’s directive, saying there was no justifiable reason for anyone to have tinted windows on their vehicles.
“Why do people tint their cars? Is it for the sleek look, UV protection, or privacy or other nefarious objectives?
“Public transporters and private vehicles have been banned from having tinted windows”, said Mangwana.
However, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible Presidential Communications, George Charamba urged the public to disregard Muguti’s directive, describing it as a miscommunication from an unauthorised office and official.
“KINDLY NOTE: There is no basis in fact or law to the accompanying announcement attributed to Secretary Muguti. Kindly ignore this mis-communication from an unauthorized office and Officer!”, said Charamba.
In the past Muguti has been caught offside including the Arlington Estate and Retreat demolitions pronouncement he gave in 2022, which prompted then Social Amenities Minister, Daniel Garwe to warn the public over Muguti’s misleading statements.
“As far as we are concerned, no house will be demolished and any communication to the contrary is misleading. Indeed, anything contrary to that is fake news. That houses in Arlington Estate will be demolished was not the correct position,” said Garwe.a
