Mzembi demands probe into licensing, safety of Mbuya Nehanda ferry after Kariba disaster

By Staff Reporter

Former Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi has questioned Government’s regulatory oversight of state-owned vessels after a Rural Infrastructure Development Authority (RIDA) ferry capsized on Lake Kariba, killing at least 15 people and leaving dozens unaccounted for.

Mzembi said the ferry, Mbuya Nehanda, appeared old and ill-equipped for regular passenger transport and questioned why it had been licensed to operate on Lake Kariba.

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He also raised concerns over video footage circulating on social media which appeared to show the vessel carrying large numbers of passengers before the disaster.

“A RIDA Ferry Boat (State boat) inappropriately named ‘Mbuya Nehanda’ should not have been licensed to operate on Kariba waters in the first place,” Mzembi said.

“It visibly looks old and ill equipped for regular public transport and commuting. Video footage of how it would be overloaded on undated missions is viral on social media.”

Walter Mzembi, then Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Government of Zimbabwe at the WTTC Global Summit 2016 (Picture via World Travel & Tourism Council - CC BY 2.0)
Walter Mzembi, then Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Government of Zimbabwe at the WTTC Global Summit 2016 (Picture via World Travel & Tourism Council – CC BY 2.0)
His comments come after the ferry, formerly operated by the District Development Fund (DDF) and now under RIDA, capsized near Long Island on Tuesday afternoon while carrying passengers across Lake Kariba.

At least 77 people had been rescued and 15 bodies recovered by the time of the latest official update, while 27 people remained unaccounted for. However, the figures remained subject to verification, with authorities indicating that some children travelling below ticketing age may not have been included in the initial passenger count.

RIDA security officer Anymore Chambati, one of five crew members aboard the vessel, said 153 people, including infants, were on board when the ferry capsized.

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Only two of the five crew members survived, according to Chambati.

The vessel was reportedly caught by strong winds and choppy conditions as it crossed the lake, with water entering through the cabin and the crew struggling to stabilise it.

Mzembi said the disaster should prompt a wider examination of how Government agencies regulate and inspect state-owned assets.

He specifically questioned whether Government-owned vessels and other assets receive exemptions from regulatory requirements that would ordinarily apply to privately operated vehicles and vessels.

“This is a wake-up call to inspectorates across Government agencies to ramp up their act, especially with exemptions normally accorded to State assets, unregistered vehicles included,” he said.

Mzembi said Government could be left exposed when accidents involving state assets occur, arguing that regulations should apply equally to public and private operators.

“Laws and regulation should be stricter starting with Government itself and this tragedy calls for an all-encompassing investigation/enquiry to prevent future accidents and secure our large water bodies and our people’s safety,” he said.

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His remarks raise questions over the ferry’s operational history, passenger capacity, safety inspections, licensing and the enforcement of marine safety regulations before the accident.

The disaster also comes against the background of increasing reliance on Lake Kariba by communities living around the water body, particularly those involved in cross-water trade and transport.

Mzembi said Lake Kariba, unlike natural waterways such as the Congo River, is a man-made reservoir and should have stronger safety systems decades after its construction.

He argued that disaster prevention, preparedness, monitoring and mitigation should be treated as a priority, particularly where large numbers of people depend on water transport for their livelihoods.

The former minister also criticised the circumstances surrounding the ferry’s name, saying the loss of life on Heroes and Defence Forces Holiday was a particularly painful way to remember national heroine Mbuya Nehanda.

The accident has triggered a major search and rescue operation involving the Civil Protection Unit, Police Sub-Aqua Unit, Matusadonha teams, boat owners, African Parks and members of surrounding communities.

RIDA director-general Christopher Shumba and Mashonaland West provincial secretary Josphat Jaji travelled to Kariba to oversee the response, while Local Government authorities recommended that the disaster be declared a state of disaster.

Minister Marian Chombo is expected in Kariba to assess the situation and engage affected families.

Mzembi said the investigation should go beyond establishing what happened on the day of the accident and examine the systems that allowed the vessel to operate.

“Disasters, natural and human made, have higher death tolls and impacts than wars themselves and their mitigation, preparedness, prevention and monitoring should be of the highest priority and standard,” he said.

He expressed condolences to the families of those who died and called for stronger safeguards for people using Zimbabwe’s major water bodies.