Two Harare drivers arrested for alleged drink-driving

By Southerton Business Times | Harare, Zimbabwe | August 9, 2026

POLICE in Harare have arrested two motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in separate incidents, as authorities intensify warnings against drink-driving on Zimbabwean roads.

The two drivers, Edgar Sibanda, 26, and Donovan Denga, 45, were arrested by traffic police on Thursday in separate parts of the capital. In the first incident, officers from ZRP Warren Park Traffic arrested Sibanda after intercepting him at a roadblock along Highglen Road. Police said Sibanda was driving a Toyota Coaster carrying three passengers when he allegedly attempted to drive away from the checkpoint. Officers stopped the vehicle and subjected the driver to a breathalyser test, which allegedly indicated that he was driving under the influence of alcohol. It was not immediately clear whether the three passengers were affected by the incident or whether the vehicle was being operated as public transport.

Second driver arrested after accident

In a separate incident, Denga was arrested by ZRP Mabvuku Traffic after being involved in a minor road traffic accident. According to police, Denga was driving an Isuzu KB300 along Harare-Mutare Road near the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC) when the accident occurred. He was subjected to a breathalyser test following the crash, which allegedly indicated that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

No serious injuries were reported in the incident. Police have continued to warn motorists against drinking and driving, saying alcohol impairs judgement, concentration and reaction times and can increase the risk of crashes. The latest arrests come as authorities continue road-safety campaigns targeting dangerous driving, particularly during periods of increased traffic.

Drunk public transport driver jailed

The Harare arrests come shortly after a 55-year-old public transport driver was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of driving a public service vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Admire Ndebele was convicted at the Beitbridge Magistrates' Court after he was allegedly caught driving a passenger-filled kombi while heavily intoxicated along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road. Police officers manning a roadblock reportedly became suspicious after seeing the vehicle meandering on the road.

Ndebele was stopped and ordered to disembark, with officers reportedly observing signs that he was intoxicated. A breathalyser test allegedly recorded a blood alcohol level of 270 milligrams per 100 millilitres. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to two years in prison. The case has renewed concerns about the dangers posed by drunk driving in Zimbabwe, particularly when intoxicated motorists transport passengers or operate vehicles on busy highways. Police have urged motorists to make alternative arrangements if they have consumed alcohol rather than risk driving. The latest arrests and convictions serve as a reminder that motorists found driving under the influence can face serious legal consequences. Both Sibanda and Denga are presumed innocent unless and until convicted by a court.

Drink driving in Harare