Zimbabwe: Govt to Procure More Boats After Kariba Ferry Tragedy

What the report says

Zimbabwe’s government says it plans to add more boats on Lake Kariba after overcrowding was cited as a factor in a recent ferry tragedy, according to a report distributed by AllAfrica from 263Chat. Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona told the Senate that authorities are considering new vessels through the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) and may also allow private operators on the route.

Mhona said the ferry linked to the incident was a government vessel under RIDA and had been running only twice a week. He said demand spiked because many passengers were traveling during school holidays and some were moving between lakeside communities and the urban side of the lake. The proposed expansion is intended to reduce pressure on any single boat and improve travel options for people who depend on water transport around Kariba.

The minister also said more services could make fares more competitive and that the government is stepping up safety messaging for water travel. He said authorities will warn operators and passengers about dangerous weather conditions, continue vessel inspections, and hold accountable those found responsible for wrongdoing. More broadly, the plan reflects the difficulty of balancing transport access, safety oversight and service capacity in a region where lake travel is essential for residents and local commerce.