Zimbabwe: ZCTU Demands Full Probe Into Lake Kariba Boat Capsize, Says Mourning Alone Is Not Enough

What the report says

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has called for a full, independent investigation into the Lake Kariba boat capsize, saying grief alone is not enough if avoidable failures helped cause the deaths. The appeal was reported by New Zimbabwe and distributed by AllAfrica, following the accident on the 'Mbuya Nehanda' vessel operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA).

According to the report, the boat capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday with more than 120 people aboard. Authorities had recovered 44 bodies, rescued 77 people, and were still searching for dozens of others at the time of publication. The tragedy has drawn concern over whether the vessel was seaworthy, properly maintained and operated under required safety standards.

ZCTU secretary general Tirivanhu Marimo said any inquiry should examine the condition of the vessel, maintenance and inspection records, emergency readiness, and regulatory oversight. He also said the findings should be made public and that negligence or safety breaches should lead to legal or administrative action where warranted.

The union additionally urged a wider safety audit of ferries and other water transport in Zimbabwe, including checks on equipment, crew competence and capacity limits. More broadly, the statement framed the disaster as evidence that passenger safety must be treated as a priority in public transport, even where affordability and service pressures are factors.