Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the Lake Kariba boat tragedy and declared the accident a State of Disaster, unlocking Government resources for the ongoing search and rescue operation as authorities work to account for all those who were aboard the ill-fated vessel.
The declaration came after a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) vessel carrying passengers from Kariba to Chalala capsized near Long Island on Monday after reportedly being struck by strong waves.
The vessel was carrying 119 people, comprising 114 adult passengers and five crew members, although an unconfirmed number of children were also believed to have been aboard.
Government said 77 people had been rescued, while 44 bodies had been recovered, although the figures released by authorities remain subject to verification as the search and rescue operation continues.
In a statement posted on his official X handle yesterday, President Mnangagwa said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy and expressed his condolences to the affected families
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic boat accident on Lake Kariba on Monday, which has claimed the lives of 44 compatriots. On behalf of the Government and the nation, I extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families,” he said.
“To ensure immediate relief, I have declared this mishap a National Disaster. Relevant authorities are already on the ground providing full medical, funeral, and psychosocial support to the victims and survivors.”
The President also ordered an overhaul of the country’s maritime safety systems following the tragedy.
“Furthermore, I have ordered our maritime safety agencies and security forces to immediately overhaul and fix the deficiencies in our maritime capabilities. We must ensure our waters are safe,” he said.
The declaration of a State of Disaster allows Government to mobilise additional resources and take extraordinary measures to assist affected communities and strengthen the emergency response.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the declaration was made in terms of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06].
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, has, in terms of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06], declared a State of Disaster following the tragic capsizing of a Rural
Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) Mbuya Nehanda water vessel on Lake Kariba on 11 August 2026,” he said.
Following the incident, the Department of Civil Protection activated the national search and rescue response, bringing together the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit, Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Marine rescue teams are combing the affected area in an effort to locate those still unaccounted for and recover any remaining bodies.
A privately owned helicopter from the Matusadonha Conservation Trust has also been deployed to support aerial search and rescue operations.
Minister Garwe said Government’s priority remained accounting for every passenger and crew member who was aboard the vessel.
“The declaration underscores Government’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring that all necessary resources are mobilised to support the ongoing search, rescue, recovery and humanitarian response,” he said.
The tragedy has also prompted renewed scrutiny of maritime safety on Lake Kariba, with President Mnangagwa directing relevant agencies to urgently address weaknesses in the country’s maritime capabilities.
The President thanked emergency responders involved in the operation and called on the nation to pray for the victims.
“I thank the swift responders who saved lives and ask the nation to join me in prayer for the souls of the departed. May they rest in eternal peace,” he said.
“We left the harbour and before long we highlighted to the captain that the conditions were not suitable for us to continue with the journey.
“We suggested that we dock at a nearby island, but he insisted on continuing with the journey, saying that he had traversed the lake for many years,” said Mr Munenga.
As the ferry encountered increasingly rough waters, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
A passenger identified as Mrs Magadaire reportedly made frantic calls for assistance to African Parks, Tiger Bay and
Bumi Hills as the vessel took on water.
She continued calling for help until the ferry eventually capsized.
Survivors said the limited number of life jackets on board had largely been distributed to passengers on the upper deck, leaving those below with little time to escape when the vessel overturned.
Mrs Marumisa was swept away from the ferry and spent nearly an hour in the water before being spotted by a helicopter.
“I was one of two people to be rescued by the helicopter, which pulled us out of the water,” she said.
Kariba District Development Coordinator Mr Rodwell Mutetwa said authorities received a distress call around 1pm, prompting the immediate mobilisation of the district Civil Protection Unit.
“We quickly mobilised the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron and other stakeholders. We are grateful that African Parks provided a helicopter which helped in the rescue of several people,” said Mr Mutetwa.
The helicopter rescued several survivors, including Mrs Marumisa.
At Kariba District Hospital, medical officer Dr Godwin Muza said 12 survivors remained admitted and were in stable condition, while undergoing further clinical assessments.
Another 67 people rescued from the wreck were being accommodated at Mahombekombe.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said Government had activated a
Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society response to assist survivors and families affected by the tragedy.
“A death is one too many, and having 44 people of varying ages losing their lives is a bitter experience we are struggling to cope with as a province and country,” said Minister Chombo.
For Mrs Marumisa, surviving the disaster has come at a heavy personal cost.
The groceries and other goods she had bought in Harare for resale in Mola were lost in the accident, leaving her uncertain about how she will support her children.
“I am a single mother and shudder to think how I will be able to pick up the pieces and look after my children.
“Getting wares in Harare and selling them in Mola was my source of livelihood,” she said.
Her account is among several emerging from the disaster, with other survivors, including Mr Tatenda Sianjeme of Mola and 18-year-old Tanaka Marire, also recounting their experiences.
Search and rescue teams recovered 31 bodies yesterday, before operations were suspended because of fading light and strengthening winds.
The search is expected to resume today, with ZNA and ZRP sub-aqua teams continuing efforts to recover bodies from the wreck and establish the fate of those still missing.
