Rape of Grade 7 pupil in a Kombi is the reason which pushed Govt to ban tinted windows on private & public vehicles

Rape of Grade 7 pupil in a
THE rape of a Grade 7 pupil in a kombi in Harare’s CBD was the tipping point which has resulted in authorities enforcing a ban on private and public vehicles with tinted windows.

The enforcement was announced by the Permanent Secretary of Presidential Affairs and Devolution, Tafadzwa Muguti, at a media conference in Harare.

“All provinces are to enforce a complete ban on private vehicles and public transporters having tinted windows on their vehicles except for Government VIP and security vehicles or those manufactured with standard shades of tints,” said Muguti.

“This follows an increase in crime in transportation vehicles and especially mushikashika vehicles by armed robbers and other criminals and also the recent rape of a Grade 7 girl in an omnibus.

“We will not be allowing, anymore, any commuter omnibus to have tints.

“Tinted windows are not allowed on public vehicles and all of those of you who have tints, where the police will not be able to see the people driving, or your passengers, please remove your tinted windows immediately or the police will do it for you or your vehicle will be impounded.”

Last month, the nation was shocked and outraged when a 13-year-old girl was raped in a kombi at the Rezende Parkade rank.

Initially, the Grade 7 pupil was humiliated by touts, who were dragging her to various kombis at the rank.

One of the touts then pretended to be a good Samaritan and led her to a parked kombi nearby.

He locked the kombi and raped her once without protection.

The tout disappeared after the act.

The girl revealed the rape to her teacher.

The enforcement of the ban on vehicles with tinted windows sent the internet into a meltdown yesterday.

However, H-Metro can reveal that in October 2010, authorities banned such vehicles from Zimbabwean roads.

A Statutory Instrument, which was published in the Government Gazette that month, read:

“The regulations criminalise the driving of vehicles with tinted or shaded windows that prevent the driver from having a full view of the road and traffic on either side as well as ahead.”

In 2015, the Road Traffic and Use Regulations read:

“No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any road unless all glass or other transparent material fitted to the vehicle is maintained in such a condition that there is no interference with the driver’s vision and, where such material is tinted, it shall ensure a safe degree of visibility.”

It has also emerged that in countries like Nigeria, a vehicle requires a special permit for its windows to be tinted and for it to be allowed on the road. The permit reads: “This is to certify that the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Department and Operations has approved the use of tinted glass on the vehicle with the following details in accordance with Section 66 (2) of the National Road Traffic Regulations and Section 1 (1) of the Motor Vehicle (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”

Muguti also urged an increase in conviction rates, across all provinces, by ensuring that there are NO fines and NO bail offered to drug and substance abusers and peddlers.

A total of 9620 people were arrested across all the provinces and 843 were convicted, 236 drug bases were destroyed and 8 777 people were either fined or have pending cases.

This happened between January and August this year.

Harare province has a total of 5 286 arrests followed by Matabeleland South 1 509 while Bulawayo Metropolitan has just 22 arrests.

“All provinces are to monitor, track and search bus operators, haulage trucks, mushikashika and all cross-border traders disregarding political or industrial affiliation;

“All provinces to ensure regular and timely press conferences led by the Hon. Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, accompanied by the respective Provincial JOC members, clearly announcing sufficient progress made by the Province on the fight against drugs and banned substances as well naming and shaming those arrested;

“All provinces to announce a toll-free telephone line which members of the public can use to report any drug and substance dealings anonymously.”