Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
The Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) has implemented an immediate ban on revealing clothing for all visitors to their depots.
This includes items such as shorts, sleeveless tops, and miniskirts, a decision that has sparked a heated debate among the public.
The department clarified that this move is in line with a standing Government position on dress codes in public offices. Notices regarding the new policy have been prominently displayed at VID depots nationwide. One notice reads,
“All sleeveless dresses, sleeveless tops, shorts, miniskirts or revealing clothes are not allowed on Government premises.”
A VID employee in Bulawayo, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained that the ban was prompted by complaints from male examiners and inspectors who reported instances of sexual harassment by clients dressed in revealing attire.
“You won’t believe it but at one time we had a learner driver who was scantily dressed, and the situation was made worse when there was a strong wind which lifted her dress up, revealing everything,” the official recounted.
They added,
“Some come in miniskirts, and in the process of changing gears, that skirt becomes even shorter as it goes upwards, and for a male inspector, that situation becomes unbearable.”
Mrs. Eustina Nyathi, the national deputy director of VID, confirmed the enforcement of the dress code, stating,
“We did not invent any laws but we just invoked a standing position.” She emphasized that dress codes are not new, noting,
“If you get to the courts, there is a certain fashion that one has to wear, and if you are not in sync with that, you will not be allowed in. It’s as simple as that.”
Nyathi mentioned that the department had received numerous complaints from both staff and the public regarding inappropriate attire at the depots.
However, the decision has faced criticism. Sikhululekile Moyo, a councillor from Bulawayo City’s Ward 17, argued that the ban is discriminatory.
“This is discriminatory, no two ways about it. Why should they target females?” Moyo questioned.
“They must inform us how exactly they want us to dress because what may be appropriate for me may be viewed as revealing or a miniskirt, so this position must be reversed.”
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