MDC Restoration demands answers over Mnangagwa’s absence from Kariba ferry disaster

MDC Restoration has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to explain why he has not personally visited Kariba following the ferry disaster that reportedly claimed more than 90 lives.


In a statement issued on Friday, the opposition party said the President’s absence from the disaster site and from affected families raised questions about leadership and accountability. MDC Restoration acknowledged that Mnangagwa declared the incident a national disaster and issued directives on the government response, including measures to improve maritime safety and replace the ill‑fated ferry.

However, the party said presidential directives issued from Harare could not substitute for personally standing with families affected by the tragedy. “Families deserved the dignity of seeing their President standing with them,” the party said. “Survivors deserved the reassurance of hearing directly from the country’s highest office. The nation deserved the President’s presence at the site of the tragedy, at the memorial proceedings and among the bereaved families.”

The disaster has also raised questions about maritime safety and government oversight, particularly reports that the government‑owned vessel was carrying more passengers than its authorised capacity of 90. MDC Restoration said authorities should establish who authorised the vessel to operate, whether passenger limits were enforced and whether the ferry was in a safe condition.

The party also questioned whether sufficient life jackets were available, whether weather and lake conditions had been assessed before departure and why an ageing government vessel was allegedly allowed to operate despite safety concerns. It said the tragedy should not be treated merely as an accident but as an accountability issue. “The victims cannot be brought back. But accountability can prevent another family from experiencing the same unbearable grief,” it said.

MDC Restoration called for an independent and transparent investigation into the disaster, covering the condition of the ferry, passenger capacity, operating procedures, weather assessment and regulatory oversight. It demanded that findings be made public and that officials found responsible for negligence or failure of oversight be held accountable.

The party also called for full compensation and long‑term support for survivors and bereaved families, safety audits of government‑operated passenger vessels, improved maritime rescue capacity and public disclosure of government expenditure and assistance committed to victims.

MDC Restoration urged Mnangagwa to travel to Kariba, meet survivors and bereaved families and provide the public with a full account of what led to the disaster. “Zimbabwe does not need another promise that lessons will be learnt. Zimbabwe needs answers. Zimbabwe needs accountability. Zimbabwe needs justice for the victims of Kariba,” the party said.

It added that the disaster should compel government to demonstrate leadership through presence, compassion and concrete action rather than declarations and directives alone. This discussion contributes to wider debates around public accountability and maritime safety oversight.