By Rex Mphisa
ZIMBABWEANS are shocked about the rising number of victims of the Kariba disaster which keeps increasing reflecting the boat was way overloaded.
Latest Zimbabwe Republic Police updates at 1500 hours on Monday put the death toll at 92, arguably making it the worst disaster on Lake Kariba.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that as at 1500 hours today, the Kariba Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat accident death toll is now 92 after eight bodies were recovered from Lake Kariba,” said the update.
It said since 11th August 2026, the Commissioner-General of Police had deployed two big boats, two small boats over 40 police Sub-Aqua members and other resources to co-ordinate the rescue of victims, search and the recovery of bodies from Lake Kariba.
“The Police has also assisted the lake captain’s mobility and coordinated with other Government agencies and stakeholders to ensure the identification of bodies is swiftly and professionally handled,” said the update.
Police urged relatives to approach the Command Centre in Kariba and the local Police Station for any relevant and necessary information on the RIDA Lake Kariba accident.
But Zimbabweans have started questioning the safety measures of RIDA and other responsible authorities as the figures continued to rise.
Some 77 people were rescued meaning the boat designed to carry just 90 people meaning it had almost doubled its capacity.