By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Three more bodies were recovered from Lake Kariba on Wednesday afternoon, bringing the death toll from the Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster to 97, authorities have confirmed.
The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA)-owned vessel capsized on August 11, 2026, while carrying passengers on Lake Kariba, triggering one of the deadliest maritime disasters in Zimbabwe’s history.
The latest recoveries come as search and rescue teams continue scouring the lake for victims of the disaster.
Government officials have attributed the accident to the vessel’s captain, Sign Patsikadova, who died in the tragedy. Authorities allege that Patsikadova proceeded with the voyage despite weather warnings issued by the Meteorological Services Department.
The government, which owns the ferry through RIDA, has come under scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the disaster, including questions about the vessel’s operations, safety procedures and the decision to proceed despite adverse weather conditions.
A total of 77 people survived the disaster, while 97 have now been confirmed dead.
The rising death toll has made the Kariba ferry disaster Zimbabwe’s deadliest transport tragedy, surpassing the 1991 Nyanga bus disaster, which claimed 89 lives.
The recovery operation has continued for more than a week, with authorities deploying teams to search the waters and recover bodies as they are located.
The disaster has also prompted renewed scrutiny of safety standards on Lake Kariba, particularly the monitoring of weather conditions, passenger safety, vessel seaworthiness and emergency preparedness.
