President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the RIDA boat accident on Lake Kariba a National Disaster after 44 bodies were recovered from the vessel that capsized on Monday.
In a condolence message issued on August 12, President Mnangagwa expressed deep sadness over the tragedy and thanked security forces and private citizens for their swift response during the rescue operation.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I learnt of the tragic capsizing of a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat on Lake Kariba on the afternoon of Monday, 11 August 2026,” the President said.
He said the difficult conditions on the lake could have resulted in an even greater loss of life without the immediate intervention of rescuers.
“As we mourn the tragic passing on of 44 souls whose bodies have so far been retrieved, I wish to thank the prompt response by our security arms and private citizens who rose to the occasion following this deadly incident. Without their swift response, many more lives would have been lost in the rough and choppy conditions which obtained on the lake on the day,” he said.
President Mnangagwa extended condolences to families who lost loved ones and said Government was working to account for all those still missing.
“On behalf of the Party, ZANU PF, the government and the people of Zimbabwe, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this tragic accident. Government is doing its utmost to ensure that all the missing persons are accounted for,” he said.
He also directed that survivors receive specialised medical and psychosocial support to help them deal with the trauma of the accident.
“To those who survived, I wish them speedy recovery, and I direct that our specialised health services provide suitable counselling to them so they are helped out of this traumatic experience,” President Mnangagwa said.
The President said the disaster had exposed weaknesses in Zimbabwe’s maritime safety systems and called for urgent action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“This tragedy has exposed serious deficiencies in our maritime capabilities which we have to address immediately so that our places of recreation do not become death traps to the innocent,” he said.
He further directed agencies responsible for maritime safety, including specialised security units, to take immediate steps to strengthen safety measures.
“Accordingly, I direct all agencies associated with our maritime safety, including, especially, specialised units within our security forces, to take an active interest in ensuring remedial interventions in this area,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also ordered relevant authorities to provide comprehensive assistance to families affected by the tragedy.
“Through this message, I declare this mishap a National Disaster and further direct relevant authorities to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families, including medical, psychosocial, and funeral support,” he said.
The President called on Zimbabweans to unite in prayer for the victims, survivors and families affected by the tragedy.
“Let us, as a nation, unite in prayer for the souls of the departed, for the success of the ongoing search operations, speedy recovery of survivors and for comfort and strength for the bereaved families,” he said.
“May the dear souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.”