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Kariba-The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on Government to institute a full, independent and transparent investigation into the Lake Kariba ferry disaster that claimed the lives of 44 people, and to urgently audit all water transport vessels in the country.
In a statement, ZCTU Secretary General Tirivanhu Marimo conveyed condolences to bereaved families and commended search, rescue and recovery teams.
“We mourn with the nation the lives so suddenly and tragically cut short. No words can adequately express the magnitude of the loss suffered by those whose loved ones have perished,” Marimo said.
The labour body said the tragedy demanded more than mourning.
“The loss of human life on a public transportation system is not merely a matter for mourning; it demands accountability, scrutiny and corrective action,” ZCTU said.
“Every passenger is entitled to assurance that a vessel is seaworthy, properly maintained and operated to the highest safety standards. Human life cannot be subordinated to considerations of cost, convenience or administrative expediency.”
ZCTU urged competent authorities to establish the precise causes of the disaster “without fear or favour.”
The probe should cover: Vessel condition, seaworthiness and maintenance records, Compliance, adherence to safety regulations and inspection certificates, Operations, crew competency, operational procedures and emergency preparedness.
The union demanded that findings be made public, and that “where negligence, dereliction of duty, regulatory failure or non-compliance is found, the appropriate legal and administrative consequences should follow.”
ZCTU also called for an urgent and comprehensive safety audit of all ferries and water-transport vessels operating in Zimbabwe.
Key areas should include structural integrity, lifesaving equipment, passenger capacity limits, and emergency-response systems.
“Vessels that have exceeded their safe operational lifespan or no longer satisfy the requisite safety standards must not be permitted to continue carrying members of the public. They should be decommissioned and replaced with modern, reliable and properly certified vessels,” Marimo said.
The ZCTU expressed concern that workers and ordinary citizens who rely on public transport should not have to choose between affordability and safety.
“Public transportation is an essential component of the national economic and social infrastructure. Its regulation therefore carries a corresponding duty upon the State and relevant authorities to ensure that the safety of human life remains paramount,” he added.
The union urged Government to treat the disaster as “a solemn call to action” and to invest in safe, modern and reliable transport infrastructure with rigorous enforcement of safety standards.
Police and the Ministry of Transport said investigations into the Lake Kariba incident were ongoing. Official casualty figures have not yet been released.
Addressing mourners at Nyamhunga stadium in Kariba, Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe pledged that the government will conduct a full investigation, which will be tabled before Cabinet soon.
