By Naledi Nyoni
HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the capsizing of a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat on Lake Kariba a national disaster, while acknowledging that the tragedy exposed serious shortcomings in Zimbabwe’s maritime safety capabilities.
In a condolence message issued on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said 44 bodies had been recovered following the accident, which he said occurred on the afternoon of Monday, 1 August 2026.
His statemen pointed to broader weaknesses in the country’s ability to respond to maritime emergencies.
“This tragedy has exposed serious deficiencies in our maritime capabilities which we have to address immediately so that our places of recreation do not become death traps to the innocent.
“Accordingly, I direct all agencies associated with our maritime safety, including, especially specialized units within our security forces, to take an active interest in ensuring remedial interventions in this area,” he said.
Mnangagwa also praised security agencies and private citizens who responded after the boat capsized, saying their intervention helped prevent an even higher death toll amid rough conditions on the lake.
“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 andprivate 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,” he said.
Mnangagwa also directed government agencies to provide affected families with medical, psychosocial and funeral assistance.
He also ordered specialised health services to provide counselling to survivors, acknowledging the psychological impact of the disaster.
The president extended condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of Zanu PF, government and the people of Zimbabwe, while calling for national unity and prayers for those who died.
The disaster declaration places the tragedy firmly within the government’s emergency response framework, but it also raises questions about accountability and whether the promised remedial measures will address the underlying safety failures rather than simply strengthen the response after disasters occur.
Mnangagwa said government was doing everything possible to account for those still missing.
The accident has become one of the country’s deadliest recent incidents on Lake Kariba, with the recovery operation continuing as authorities search for survivors and missing passengers.
