VID Bans Revealing Clothing at Depots
The Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) has enacted an immediate ban on revealing clothing. This includes shorts, sleeveless tops, and miniskirts, at its depots across the country.
This decision aligns with an existing government dress code policy aimed at maintaining decorum in public offices.
The VID has prominently displayed notices detailing the new dress code at all its locations. Two significant announcements occupy the entrance of the Bulawayo depot.
The notice clearly states, “Government premises do not allow sleeveless dresses, sleeveless tops, shorts, miniskirts, or revealing clothes.”
An anonymous VID official explained that male examiners and inspectors raised concerns that the attire of some clients during road tests made them feel uncomfortable, prompting the ban.
The official recounted a specific incident where a gust of wind lifted a learner driver’s dress, increasing the discomfort for those present.
Nyathi emphasized that the enforcement of the dress code is not a new initiative but a reaffirmation of existing regulations.
“The dress code is not a new issue. Courts have specific attire requirements, and if you don’t comply, you won’t be allowed entry. It’s straightforward,” she stated.
The decision has sparked debate, with some community leaders expressing concerns over the potential for discrimination. Sikhululekile Moyo, a councillor from Bulawayo City’s Ward 17, criticized the policy, arguing that it disproportionately affects women and should be reconsidered.
As the VID enforces this dress code, we will see how the public and community leaders respond to the policy and its implications for visitors at government offices.
-Chronicle
