Zimbabwe: Lake Kariba Ferry Tragedy - Rida Official Arrested, Charged With Culpable Homicide
[New Zimbabwe] Police have arrested Kariba Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) District Coordinator Ignatius Chiome, 49, and charged him with culpable homicide following the Lake Kariba ferry disaster that killed 97 people.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Kariba Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) District Coordinator Ignatius Chiome, 49, has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide in connection with the Lake Kariba ferry disaster. The tragedy, which occurred on August 11, resulted in the deaths of 97 people and left 77 others rescued.
The ferry, operated by RIDA, capsized while transporting passengers and goods between Kariba town and the remote community of Chalala. Prosecutors allege that the overloaded vessel, which had an authorized capacity of 90 passengers, was severely overloaded with more than the permitted number of individuals. The accident, described as Zimbabwe's worst recorded maritime disaster, prompted a massive search-and-rescue operation involving police, local boat operators, and emergency teams. Chiome appeared in court and remains in custody, awaiting a plea to the culpable homicide charge.
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