Rimbi Travel & Tours has suspended a driver who was filmed allegedly driving a bus while showing signs of intoxication, saying the incident violated the company’s strict policy on alcohol consumption while on duty.
The company identified the driver as Jima Simbarashe, 47, who was employed by Rimbi Travel & Tours on 22 June 2026.
According to a response issued by the company’s director, Rimbi Decent, the incident occurred on 19 August 2026 when Simbarashe was assigned to drive a Rimbi Travel & Tours bus, registration number AGB 1409, from Harare to Gokwe.
The bus reportedly left Mbare Bus Terminus at around 3pm.
The company said it received information alleging that the driver consumed alcohol during a stop in Kwekwe after 7pm.
“Information received alleged the driver took some alcohol in Kwekwe after 19:00 where they had a brief stop of more than 30minutes before continuing with their journey a few minutes before 20:00,” the company said.
Rimbi said the driver’s conduct became questionable when the bus reached Matambo shops, shortly before Gokwe town.
The company said its representatives in Gokwe immediately took the bus keys from the driver after receiving the information.
“As soon as the information reached us about the driver being drunk, the company had the bus keys taken from him by our representatives in Gokwe before assigning another Driver ITAI MUGUYA who then took the bus and passengers to their final destination, Gokwe centre,” Rimbi said.
The driver was subsequently arrested in Gokwe and suspended from driving duties pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for 2 September 2026.
Rimbi said it was unable to conduct an alcohol test on the driver because he had already been arrested by the time the company became aware of the allegations.
“Rimbi Travel & Tours did not get the chance to test the driver to establish whether he was under the influence of alcohol while on duty as he was arrested that night in Gokwe,” the company said.
The company said Simbarashe had passed the required checks before being assigned the bus and was considered fit to drive at the start of his shift.
“The driver was entrusted with a passenger bus while he was in his sound and sober senses, and guided by the company policy which forbids all drivers from taking any alcohol during the course of duty,” Rimbi said.
The company also said it conducts daily breathalyser tests on drivers before they are assigned buses.
“The company carries Breathalyzer tests on daily basis before assigning drivers its buses as a precautionary measure,” it said.
Rimbi said the driver was fit for duty when he was assigned the trip, although the alleged incident occurred several hours later.
The company strongly condemned the alleged conduct, saying it would not tolerate behaviour that puts passengers’ lives at risk.
“It is a well-written or documented policy that Rimbi Travel & Tours does not condone any such act of gross negligence, bad behavior nor indiscipline, and do not accept the lives of innocent souls being put at risk by any irresponsible individual,” the company said.
Rimbi added that termination of the driver’s employment could follow the disciplinary process in line with his employment contract.
“As such, termination of contract becomes an absolute result as per the signed agreed terms of employment contract between us and the employee,” the company said.
The company said its statement was intended to clarify its position on the incident and was not an attempt to cover up the allegations.
“Please receive our humble submissions, not as a cover up, but as per our clearly defined company policies and operation procedures,” Rimbi said.
