Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Ignitius Chiome, the Kariba District Clerk and acting Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) district head, has been remanded in custody to tomorrow, August 28, after ruling on his bail application was deferred.
Chiome appeared before the Kariba Magistrates Court this afternoon facing culpable homicide charges arising from the August 11 Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster which claimed 97 lives on Lake Kariba.
Magistrate Mr Edward Verenga ruled that the ruling was not yet complete.
Ms Karen Musiiwa is prosecuting.
The State alleges that administrative failures, overloading of the vessel and breaches of operational safety procedures contributed to the disaster.
The ferry is said to have been carrying up to 180 passengers when it departed Andora Harbour to its way to Chalala fishing camps, against an authorised capacity of 90.
Chiome’s lawyer, Mr Samuel Muyemeki, confirmed the latest development, saying the matter had been remanded to Friday, August 28, when the court is expected to hand down its decision.
