HARARE — Parliament has called for an inquiry into the Lake Kariba ferry disaster after lawmakers raised allegations that the vessel was overloaded and passengers had pleaded with the captain to turn back after noticing water entering the boat.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda told the National Assembly on Tuesday that he had discussed the disaster with Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona and indicated that an investigation was likely.
“I was talking to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development a few days ago after the accident. I think there is a meeting of minds that an enquiry should be launched into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and we shall wait to hear from the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development in due course, after the necessary consultations have taken place in Government,” Mudenda said.
His remarks followed a point of national interest raised by opposition MP Agency Gumbo over the disaster involving a government-operated ferry on Lake Kariba.
Gumbo told Parliament the death toll had reached 92 as of Tuesday, with recovery operations continuing.
“As of today, the death toll has risen to 92 people with recovery operations continuing. Reports also indicate that the vessel was carrying as many as 169 passengers despite an authorised capacity of approximately 90 passengers,” Gumbo said.
“Survivors further reported that passengers pleaded with the captain to make a U-turn after the passengers noticed that water was flowing into the vessel. These allegations, Hon Speaker, must be urgently investigated.”
Gumbo linked the tragedy to longstanding transport problems in the Zambezi Valley, saying poor roads had left communities heavily dependent on Lake Kariba for transport.
“This is not simply a ferry accident; it is a national tragedy rooted in decades of neglect and inadequate infrastructure and marginalisation of the Zambezi Valley communities,” he said.
“For decades, the Zambezi Valley communities have been raising concerns about unsafe and inadequate transport infrastructure in the region. The traditional leaders and Members of Parliament in this august House from the particular region, have repeatedly spoken about these issues, the pleas have been ignored and warnings of the passengers in the vessel were not acted upon.”
He said water transport itself was not the problem, but communities should not be left with unsafe water travel as their only practical means of transport.
“We are not opposed to water transport but where it is the only option, then Government must ensure strict safety regulations and the enforcement of rules and procedures. A vessel authorised to carry 90 passengers must not carry more than 169 passengers. Our people are citizens of this country. They are not cargo.”
Gumbo also called for the establishment of a transport corridor connecting communities across the Zambezi Valley, including Mbire, Kariba, Siakobvu and Binga.
MPs observed a minute of silence for the victims before Mudenda disclosed his discussions with Mhona over a possible inquiry
