The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has called for an independent investigation into a recent ferry incident on Lake Kariba. The organization’s public statement followed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s declaration of the event as a national disaster and his acknowledgement of weaknesses in the country’s maritime safety system.
In an official address, President Mnangagwa confirmed the government’s response to the incident, which included designating it a national disaster. During his remarks, he acknowledged what he described as deficiencies within the nation’s maritime safety and regulatory framework. The government has not yet provided a detailed report on the number of individuals affected by the incident.
In its response, the ZLHR urged the government to take further steps beyond the president’s acknowledgement. The legal advocacy group specified its call for an “independent and transparent investigation” to determine the circumstances that led to the event.
According to a statement released by the ZLHR, the organization believes that President Mnangagwa’s comments about systemic weaknesses must be followed by “concrete action.” The group asserted that a formal inquiry is necessary to establish accountability, identify the root causes, and prevent future occurrences.
The ZLHR statement emphasized that such an investigation would be a critical step toward securing justice for the victims and their families. The organization also highlighted the need for potential legal and regulatory reforms to Zimbabwe’s maritime safety protocols based on the findings of any official inquiry.
As of this report, the government has not issued a formal response to the ZLHR’s call for an investigation. The incident has drawn public attention to transportation safety standards on Zimbabwe’s inland waterways.
