The death toll from the Lake Kariba ferry disaster has risen to 84, as Government intensifies investigations into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority (RIDA) passenger vessel amid adverse weather conditions.
Preliminary investigations are pointing to a possible combination of navigational error, overloading and failure to heed adverse weather warnings, although authorities are yet to make the final determination on the cause of the tragedy.
A technical report is expected to be tabled before Cabinet tomorrow and is likely to guide Government on further action, including possible regulatory reforms to strengthen safety standards on Zimbabwe’s inland waters.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the tragedy a National Disaster, allowing Government to mobilise additional resources for rescue, recovery and support operations.
Search and recovery efforts continued, yesterday, with the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit, freelance divers, local boat operators and members of the Kariba community working together to recover victims.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Advocate Felix Mhona, Yesterday, visited the accident scene near Long Island, accompanied by Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Marian Chombo, and other senior Government officials.
The delegation also held an urgent meeting with Lake Kariba boat and ferry operators to establish what transpired and identify immediate measures to prevent a recurrence.
Minister Mhona said Government had a legal obligation to investigate the incident under the Inland Waters Shipping Act (Chapter 13:06).
“We are saddened as a nation, we are mourning our beloved ones who perished on this lake,” said Minister Mhona.
“I am happy that today I managed to witness first-hand and engage our operators to find out what really transpired and what mitigatory measures we should be taking going forward,” he added.
He said the legislation provides Government with the mandate to oversee safety and registration on inland waters.
“Through the Ministry of Transport, we superintend over inland waters. The Inland Waters Shipping Act directs us on issues of safety and registration,” Minister Mhona said.
Investigators have so far ruled out structural failure as the primary cause of the accident.
Inland Waters Control director, Lameck Chitenga, confirmed that an initial assessment indicated that the vessel’s hull remained intact when the incident occurred, shifting attention towards operational and environmental factors.
The RIDA-owned vessel, formerly operated under the Department of District Development Fund, was travelling from Kariba town to Chalala Fishing Camp when it encountered strong winds and choppy waters commonly associated with the area.
The footage taken, shortly after departure, reportedly showed the vessel struggling in turbulent waters, with passengers appearing helpless as water rose around them.
Although the localised weather bulletin for Lake Kariba had largely forecast calm conditions and light breezes, it warned mariners to remain alert to localised choppy conditions during the afternoon.
The bulletin also forecast strengthening north-easterly to south-easterly winds over exposed sections of the lake, conditions now being examined as part of the investigation.
The latest recovery operation pushed the confirmed death toll from 72 to 84, while 67 survivors have so far been rescued.
Minister Chombo confirmed the recovery of additional bodies during an afternoon briefing.
“We have had a devastating tragedy in Kariba where several people have lost their lives,” she said, while commending Government departments, the security services, divers, local businesses and the Kariba community for their efforts.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, also confirmed the recovery operation.
“The Kariba RIDA boat accident death toll is now 80 following the recovery of eight more bodies on 16th August 2026,” he said.
Local boat operators, including Cephas Shonhiwa and Nesbit Mapfumo, have pledged to assist Government in mobilising resources to ensure search and recovery operations continue uninterrupted.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has directed Minister Mhona to mobilise resources towards the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Karoi-Binga Road.
The project is expected to improve access to Chalala, Mola, Siakobvu and surrounding communities, many of which rely heavily on Lake Kariba for transportation.
The tragedy has exposed the vulnerabilities of communities dependent on inland waterways and renewed calls for stronger safety enforcement, improved weather monitoring and better emergency preparedness.
Minister Mhona said Government would be guided by the technical report once it is presented to Cabinet tomorrow, with the findings expected to inform further measures to prevent a recurrence of the disaster.
