Minister Ziyambi Sets Record Straight
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has confirmed that there is no law banning tinted vehicle windows, even as reports circulate that motorists are being fined US$15 (R280) by police officers for the alleged offence. He made the statement in the National Assembly on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, after legislators questioned the legal position.
Minister Ziyambi told Parliament:
“At the moment, we do not have any law banning tinted windows on vehicles.”
His remarks came a day after Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, the Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, announced at a press conference that motorists were required to remove tinted windows. That directive was quickly contradicted by senior government officials.
Motorists Question Police Fines
Despite the clarification, Zimbabwean motorists continue to share reports of police fines. A widely circulated ZRP Admission of Guilt Traffic Fine form shows that a motorist was fined US$15 by Sergeant Pfupirayi of ZRP Dema Station.
The description of the offence was written as “Tinted or Shaded Windows.” Sergeant Pfupirayi incorrectly cited Statutory Instrument 129 of 2015 as the basis for the fine. However, this instrument does not ban tints outright. It only requires that vehicle windows provide, as Minister Ziyambi confirmed, a clear and safe degree of visibility.
On X, users have called on government to urgently address the matter. One motorist, posting under the handle @PTChimusoro (Travel Guy), wrote:
“Please, leader @TMuguti, kindly take note of this. And in the meanwhile, release another statement advising the public that the position you stated earlier is suspended whilst you deliberate with government. Because of your statement, people are paying US$15 fines to the police!!”
Government Spokesman Distances Presidency
Presidential spokesman George Charamba, speaking from China, where President Mnangagwa is on a state visit, also dismissed Muguti’s announcement.
In a firm statement, Charamba said:
“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 unauthorised office and officer!”
Legal experts also raised concerns. Prominent lawyer Obey Shava commented:
“Police should be careful not to make costly decisions based on a statement which is not fully supported by the law. Tint is allowed on condition certain requirements are met.”
With Minister Ziyambi’s parliamentary remarks and Charamba’s intervention, the tint ban has been effectively nullified. However, unresolved questions remain over the fines already issued to motorists.
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The post No Law Banning Tinted Windows: Justice Minister Confirms As ZRP Officers Fine Citizens appeared first on iHarare News.
