Source: Kariba ferry disaster: Govt demands answers – herald
Mukudzei Chingwere
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT will institute a formal inquest into the Lake Kariba passenger ferry disaster after preliminary investigations revealed that the ill-fated vessel was overloaded and may have been left vulnerable to known hazardous conditions on the lake.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Government had already commenced formal investigations and would now move to determine the precise circumstances that led to the capsizing of the RIDA Mbuya Nehanda ferry last week.
Concerns have been raised about whether the ferry was fit for purpose, but Government has dismissed allegations that the boat was dilapidated.
Minister Garwe said the ferry held a fitness certificate that had been authenticated through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, adding that Cabinet had approved the inquest to uncover “exactly what took place.”
“The boat had a fitness certificate or certification through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development,” said Minister Garwe.
“The problems that occurred were as a result of negligence. Cabinet has approved that we go ahead and put in place an inquest to start investigations into exactly what took place.”
Speaking during the same media briefing, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, who chaired the post-Cabinet session, updated the nation on Cabinet’s discussion of the disaster and the preliminary findings.
She said Cabinet had received the official report on the accident, which has so far confirmed 94 deaths and reported that the ferry was carrying approximately 180 passengers and goods—which is double the vessel’s carrying capacity of 90.
Authorities further noted that the capsizing occurred after the ferry was struck by strong waves.
Government said the Meteorological Services Department had issued an early warning, instructing all users of the lake not to sail.
“The nation is advised that preliminary investigations indicate that the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA)’s Mbuya Nehanda ferry, which capsized on Lake Kariba on 11 August 2026, was ferrying about 180 passengers and goods, thus exceeding its carrying capacity,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.
“The vessel reportedly capsized after being struck by strong waves. Government notes that the Meteorological Services Department had issued an early warning advising all lake users against sailing.”
So far, 77 passengers have been rescued from the accident, while the remains of 94 have been retrieved, and seven people—confirmed by relatives to have been on board—are still missing.
“Government has commenced formal investigations, which include examining the structural remains of the vessel and probing operational and compliance issues,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the incident a State of Disaster in terms of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act and directed all relevant authorities to provide affected families with funeral services, medical assistance, and psycho-social support to help them cope with trauma arising from the incident.
“Accordingly, Government is providing State-assisted burials through Doves and Nyaradzo Funeral Services,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.
She said the Department of Civil Protection continues to coordinate search, rescue, and recovery operations in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit and the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders.
“The operations continue to intensify, with a privately owned helicopter from the Matusadona Conservation Trust deployed to support rescue efforts. All Lake Kariba users are urged to remain vigilant and urgently report any floating objects,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.
COMMENTS