Govt Officials At Odds Over Dark Tint Ban; Charamba Urges Public To Ignore Muguti’s Directive

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. Said Mangwana:

“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.”

However, on Wednesday, George Charamba, Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications) in the Office of the President and Cabinet, urged the public to disregard Muguti’s directive, describing it as a miscommunication from an unauthorised office and official. Said Charamba:

“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!”

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