Zimbabwe: Ferry Captain Wholly to Blame for Lake Kariba Disaster - Says Govt in Defence of 41-Year-Old Boat

The government of Zimbabwe has placed the blame for the tragic Kariba disaster solely on the captain of the Mbuya Nehanda ferry, Sign Patsikadova. During a post cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe stated that Patsikadova ignored advice from the Meteorological Department not to sail. The 90-seater boat, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) on behalf of the government, capsized while transporting over 180 people and their belongings, including goats, drums of fuel, and other materials headed for fishing communities in Binga.

Meteorological warnings about strong waves developing on the Binga side had been issued earlier that day, but the captain disregarded those advisories and proceeded with the journey. The boat's carrying capacity was around 90, yet it was carrying over 100 people at the time of the disaster, which violated Transport Ministry regulations.

Garwe also mentioned that the vessel was deemed fit by the Transport Ministry, attributing the disaster to human error and negligence on the part of the captain. The Mbuya Nehanda disaster has been declared a national tragedy, joining the Hwange Kamandama Mine accident of June 6, 1972, which claimed the lives of 427 miners.