By Advent Shoko
KARIBA, Zimbabwe — Kariba has been plunged into mourning after opposition Member of Parliament Shine Gwangwaba lost his sister and at least 15 close relatives in the Lake Kariba boat disaster, as the scale of the tragedy continues to emerge.
Gwangwaba, who represents Kariba in Parliament, said his family was among several in the community that suffered multiple losses when the Mbuya Nehanda boat capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday afternoon.
The MP told Masvingo Mirror that he had lost his sister, several nephews and other close relatives in the accident.
“I am at a loss for words. We have lost relatives and funerals are all over. In my family, I lost a sister and at least 15 close relatives, neighbours lost relatives and the village lost several people,” Gwangwaba said.
“As I speak, we are already gathered here in Kariba rural for the funeral of my sister and other relatives.”
𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗔 𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗜𝗧 𝗕𝗬 𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦
Gwangwaba said the tragedy had affected entire families rather than isolated individuals.
He specifically pointed to Mola Village under Chief Mola, saying several people from his home area were among those affected.
“There are families that lost a number of people each. Kariba is in a state of mourning,” he said.
The MP’s account gives a human face to a disaster whose confirmed figures were still evolving on Wednesday morning.
According to Mashonaland West provincial authorities, 77 people had been rescued and 15 bodies recovered, while about 27 people remained unaccounted for, excluding an undisclosed number of young children who may have been travelling without tickets.
𝗠𝗕𝗨𝗬𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗗𝗘𝗗
The Mbuya Nehanda was travelling from Kariba town to Chalala Fishing Camp across Lake Kariba when it capsized after encountering strong and choppy conditions.
Official figures released by provincial authorities showed that the vessel had 114 adult passengers with tickets and five crew members, already well above its reported carrying capacity of 90 people.
The final number of people aboard remains uncertain because children below the ticketing age were reportedly not included in the ticket records.
The captain was among those who died, according to RIDA director-general Christopher Shumba.
The accident has therefore raised difficult questions about passenger numbers, vessel capacity and safety procedures, although the cause of the disaster will need to be established through a formal investigation.
𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗦
Rescue teams were working through the lake to locate those still missing.
The Civil Protection Unit mobilised boats to bring survivors from Long Island to the mainland, while the Police Sub-Aqua Unit was airlifted to reinforce the underwater search.
Matusadonha rescue teams, local boat operators, an African Parks helicopter and members of surrounding communities were also involved in the operation.
Mashonaland West provincial Director of Local Government Services Cecilia Chitiyo said the figures remained subject to change as the search continued.
“This is the report to date, but you will be continuously updated as the search and rescue unfolds,” she said.
Authorities have also recommended that the disaster be declared a State of Disaster, potentially allowing more resources to be deployed to the rescue, recovery and support of affected families.
𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗪𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗦
For Gwangwaba, however, the disaster is no longer simply a national headline or parliamentary constituency issue.
It is a personal loss unfolding alongside the grief of dozens of families in Kariba.
While rescue teams continue searching Lake Kariba, families remain gathered at the lakeshore and in villages, waiting for news of loved ones.
The MP’s loss of his sister and at least 15 close relatives underscores the devastating reach of the accident, a single boat disaster that has left an entire community mourning together.
Gwangwaba was elected as the Kariba constituency MP in the 2023 harmonised elections.
Search and rescue operations are continuing, and the death toll and number of missing people could change as authorities verify those who were on board.
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