Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has expressed sorrow over the Lake Kariba ferry tragedy which claimed 44 lives on Tuesday afternoon and directed relevant authorities to swiftly strengthen maritime safety systems to avert similar disasters.
In his condolence message yesterday, the President described the accident involving a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency ferry as a State of Disaster and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I learnt of the tragic capsizing of a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat on Lake Kariba,” said President Mnangagwa.
“As we mourn the tragic passing on of 44 souls whose bodies have so far been retrieved, I wish to thank the prompt response by our security arms and private citizens who rose to the occasion following this deadly incident.
“Without their swift response, many more lives would have been lost in the rough and choppy conditions which obtained on the lake on the day.”
Government, President Mnangagwa said, was doing everything possible to locate all those still unaccounted for, while survivors would receive the necessary medical attention and psychosocial support.
He commended members of the security services and the public who participated in rescue efforts, saying their swift response had helped save lives in the aftermath of the accident.
The President also directed all ministries, departments and agencies responsible for water transport and maritime safety, including specialised security units, to urgently review and strengthen safety measures on the country’s inland waters.
He said lessons drawn from the tragedy should inform stronger enforcement of safety regulations to minimise the risk of similar incidents in future.
President Mnangagwa, on behalf of Government, ZANU PF, his family and the people of Zimbabwe, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, the President has declared the Lake Kariba boat tragedy a State of Disaster.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe yesterday said the declaration was made in terms of the Civil Protection Act.
“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) Mbuyanehanda water vessel on Lake Kariba on 11 August 2026,” he said.
The vessel was carrying 119 people, comprising 114 adult passengers and five crew members, with an unconfirmed number of children also believed to have been on board.
Seventy-seven people were rescued while 44 died and others are still missing.
The declaration of a State of Disaster allows the Government to mobilise additional resources and implement extraordinary measures to assist and protect people affected by the disaster.
After the disaster was reported on Tuesday, the Department of Civil Protection immediately activated a national search and rescue operation involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit, Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Marine rescue teams intensified searches in the affected area, while a privately owned helicopter from the Matusadonha Conservation Trust was also deployed to support aerial search and rescue operations.
Minister Garwe said Government remained focused on 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.
Minister Garwe also expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died and commended rescue personnel, security services, local authorities, conservation partners and other stakeholders involved in the operation.
The Lake Kariba tragedy is one of the country’s worst boating accidents in recent years and has placed renewed focus on safety standards governing water transport operations.
