Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 102
- 45
The first major criminal trial linked to the Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster, which claimed 97 lives on Lake Kariba, is now underway as authorities move to establish who should be held accountable for one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest maritime tragedies.
A senior Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) official, Ignitious Chiome, has appeared before the Kariba Magistrates’ Court facing a culpable homicide charge.
Chiome, who is the Kariba District Clerk and acting RIDA district head, was remanded in custody pending his bail application.
The State alleges that a combination of administrative failures, overloading and breaches of safety procedures contributed to the sinking of the ferry on August 11.
Preliminary findings presented to Cabinet indicate that the 41-year-old vessel left Andora Harbour carrying up to 178 passengers and heavy cargo on its way to the Chalala fishing camps. The ferry was authorised to carry only 90 passengers.
Investigators are also examining claims that the vessel was allowed to sail despite severe weather warnings over strong south-westerly winds, commonly known in the area as the Binga Wave.
About 30 minutes into the journey, rough waters reportedly began flooding the deck and eventually submerged the bilge pump. This allegedly led to engine failure before the ferry capsized.
Some survivors are believed to have told investigators that passengers pleaded with the crew to turn back or seek shelter at nearby islands as conditions worsened, but their warnings were allegedly ignored.
The scale of the tragedy prompted President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare a State of Disaster, leading to a major search-and-recovery operation involving sub-aqua teams and local divers. Recovery teams retrieved bodies from depths of up to 80 metres before the operation was recently concluded.
Investigations are continuing into the actions of RIDA management and the ferry crew, with authorities saying further arrests have not been ruled out.
Across Zimbabwe and the wider African region, the disaster has also raised serious questions about passenger safety, the enforcement of transport regulations and accountability when preventable tragedies occur.
With the ferry reportedly carrying nearly twice its authorised passenger capacity, many are now demanding answers over how it was allowed to undertake the journey in the first place.
A senior Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) official, Ignitious Chiome, has appeared before the Kariba Magistrates’ Court facing a culpable homicide charge.
Chiome, who is the Kariba District Clerk and acting RIDA district head, was remanded in custody pending his bail application.
The State alleges that a combination of administrative failures, overloading and breaches of safety procedures contributed to the sinking of the ferry on August 11.
Preliminary findings presented to Cabinet indicate that the 41-year-old vessel left Andora Harbour carrying up to 178 passengers and heavy cargo on its way to the Chalala fishing camps. The ferry was authorised to carry only 90 passengers.
Investigators are also examining claims that the vessel was allowed to sail despite severe weather warnings over strong south-westerly winds, commonly known in the area as the Binga Wave.
About 30 minutes into the journey, rough waters reportedly began flooding the deck and eventually submerged the bilge pump. This allegedly led to engine failure before the ferry capsized.
Some survivors are believed to have told investigators that passengers pleaded with the crew to turn back or seek shelter at nearby islands as conditions worsened, but their warnings were allegedly ignored.
The scale of the tragedy prompted President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare a State of Disaster, leading to a major search-and-recovery operation involving sub-aqua teams and local divers. Recovery teams retrieved bodies from depths of up to 80 metres before the operation was recently concluded.
Investigations are continuing into the actions of RIDA management and the ferry crew, with authorities saying further arrests have not been ruled out.
Across Zimbabwe and the wider African region, the disaster has also raised serious questions about passenger safety, the enforcement of transport regulations and accountability when preventable tragedies occur.
With the ferry reportedly carrying nearly twice its authorised passenger capacity, many are now demanding answers over how it was allowed to undertake the journey in the first place.
