Freeman Razemba 

Senior Reporter

ONE of the 97 people who died when the Mbuya Nehanda ferry which capsized on Lake Kariba on August 11 is yet to be identified, with police appealing to the public for information that could help establish the victim’s identity.

Preliminary investigations into the disaster have established that the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA)-operated ferry was carrying an estimated 180 passengers and assorted goods when it capsized, apparently exceeding its carrying capacity.

The Government has since launched a full-scale investigation into the tragedy, which is expected to examine possible overloading, navigational decisions and compliance with weather advisories.

The ferry was travelling along the Lake Kariba-Chalala route, carrying passengers and goods to remote fishing communities when it capsized.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said authorities had so far identified 96 of the 97 victims, leaving one person yet to be identified.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist in identifying the remaining victim to come forward.

He also released the names of three other victims, bringing the total of identified bodies to 96.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police releases the names of three (03) additional victims, bringing the total number of victims whose identities have been confirmed by their next of kin to 96,” he said.

They are Wilson Parare Musaka (74), a male adult of Nyamhunga 2 Kariba, Nyarai Fununo (44), a female adult of Kapandura Village Chief Mola Kariba, Lynol Samanyanga (07), a male juvenile of 2197 Batonga Kariba.

“The death toll remains at 97, with one victim yet to be identified. The Zimbabwe Republic Police appeals to members of the public who have relatives still missing and may have been travelling aboard the boat to come forward and assist with the identification process,” Comm Nyathi said.