By Tichaona Katsvamutima
A man from Kariba is feared dead after reportedly jumping from a passenger boat into Lake Kariba on Tuesday afternoon, 3 November 2026.
The man was aboard the Silverstone passenger boat, which was travelling from Kariba to Chalala when the incident occurred at Musamba Fishing Camp in Nyaminyami Ward 3.
The vessel had temporarily docked at the fishing camp to offload passengers and cargo when other passengers reportedly raised the alarm after witnessing the man jump into the water.
According to journalist Alexander Kaemba, Silverstone director Hilary, who was reportedly aboard the vessel, confirmed the incident and said crew members attempted to locate the missing passenger using speedboats but were unsuccessful.
“Yes! It has happened. I heard other passengers alerting us that one passenger had jumped into the water. We tried to comb the waters around the boat since we had speedboats, but we were unlucky,” he rsaid.
Hilary also indicated that the missing passenger had not consumed alcohol aboard the vessel before the incident.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit is expected to commence search operations this Wednesday morning as efforts to locate the missing man continue.
His identity has not yet been established publicly, while the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear. Although initial reports suggest that he may have jumped into the lake intentionally, authorities are yet to establish what exactly transpired.
The incident comes less than a month after passenger boat services on Lake Kariba resumed following a temporary suspension triggered by the deadly capsizing of the Mbuya Nehanda KF 551 near Long Island on 11 August 2026.
The tragedy claimed at least 97 lives, while 77 people survived.
Silverstone commenced passenger transport operations during the first week of October following the resumption of water transport services after the cleansing of Lake Kariba by Chief Mola.
