The government-operated ferry capsized on August 11 after encountering strong waves during severe weather conditions on Lake Kariba. Authorities say 119 passengers and crew members were officially recorded on board, despite the vessel having a capacity of 90 people.
So far, 77 survivors have been rescued, while search and recovery operations remain underway for those still unaccounted for.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Thursday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe described the tragedy as one of the country’s darkest moments. “This is a very tragic moment for the people of Zimbabwe. We have lost 44 lives because of the vessel tragedy,” Garwe said.
Garwe said government had mobilised resources to support affected families, including funeral assistance, food, transport and psychosocial services for survivors and relatives. “Government has chipped in to assist the bereaved families in every course that is associated with the tragedy, in terms of buying coffins, in terms of buying food, in terms of transport,” Garwe said.
Questions remain over the exact number of passengers who were on board when the ferry capsized. While official records show 119 people were aboard, reports citing a surviving crew member have suggested the figure could have been as high as 153.
Garwe said authorities were relying on the official passenger manifest while investigations continue. “The official figure we have is 119 people,” Garwe said. “We have also started investigations as to exactly what took place.”
Garwe cautioned against speculation while recovery efforts remain under way, noting that survivors may still be traumatised and that investigators have not yet determined the cause of the accident. “It could be a technical problem. We don’t know yet,” Garwe said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the incident a State of Disaster, enabling government to take full responsibility for relief efforts and emergency support.
Garwe said the declaration allows government to fund rescue operations, provide accommodation for survivors, cover hospital costs and ensure support services remain available to affected families.
Despite calls for ferry operations on Lake Kariba to be suspended, Garwe said authorities would first establish the cause of the accident before considering any additional measures. “This is an accident. It’s an isolated case. It has never happened in the history of Zimbabwe,” Garwe said.
Garwe said no government could guarantee that accidents would never occur, but pledged that authorities would take appropriate action once investigations had established what caused the tragedy. “If we know the cause of the accident, we’ll then say what is it that needs to be done at any level to ensure that such accidents will not happen again,” Garwe said.
–ChannelAfrica–
