KARIBA – Children made up a significant proportion of the 44 victims whose identities have been released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) following the fatal Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat accident on Lake Kariba.
The accident occurred on August 11, with the latest list of identified victims showing that at least 18 children aged between one and 10 years are among those who died.
The youngest victims were Wendy Ndandarika, aged one, McDonald Nyasha Gumpo, aged one year and two months, Hailly Tauro, aged one year and two months, Lael Samanyanga, aged one year and six months, and Olain Siyachuka, aged two years and seven months.
Other children identified include Mukudzei Kangwara (2), Connic Mutale (2), Patience Ndebele (3), Anashe Pensula (3), Kelly Busumani (4), Wishmore Charindapanze (4), Nashrey Pensula (5), Alubo Nzira (6), Anisha Chipuma (6), Shalom Ndere (9) and Shelton Magora (10).
The list also includes Cain Nzerombairi and Average Murambatsvina, who were identified as male juveniles, although their ages were not provided in the statement issued by ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
The tragedy has therefore claimed the lives of several very young children, with some families losing more than one member.
The Pensula family, for instance, lost Nashrey Pensula, aged five, and Anashe Pensula, aged three.
The victims came from different communities, including Kariba, Mola, Karoi, Masvingo, Gweru, Harare and Chitungwiza, highlighting the wide geographical impact of the tragedy.
Among those identified was 59-year-old Sign Patsikadova, the boat captain.
Commissioner Nyathi said identification of the remaining recovered bodies was still in progress.
“The Police continues to work closely with relevant stakeholders and the affected families in the identification and recovery process,” he said.
The Police said further information would be released as and when new developments arise.
LIST OF THE 44 IDENTIFIED VICTIMS
1. Sign Patsikadova (59) – male adult, 2999 Batonga, Kariba. Boat captain.
2. Smart Siamandonga (54) – male adult, Kalundu Village, Mola.
3. Shelton Magora (10) – male juvenile, 2161 Batonga, Kariba.
4. Hazvinei Chasara (39) – female adult, 1050 Nyamhunga 2, Kariba.
5. Shalom Ndere (9) – female juvenile, 879 Nyamhunga 2, Kariba.
6. Mukudzei Kangwara (2) – male juvenile, 1166 Nyamhunga 2, Kariba.
7. Isabel Sango (50) – female adult, 879 Nyamhunga 2, Kariba.
8. Ratidzai Tasara (50) – female adult, 5410 Mukoba, Gweru.
9. Debra Chadenga (49) – female adult, 5961 Kuwadzana 7, Harare.
10. Olain Siyachuka (2 years 7 months) – female juvenile, Nego Village, Chief Mola.
11. Tamari Matsangu – female adult.
12. Plaxedix Madiro (42) – female adult, 1536 Nyamhunga 3, Kariba.
13. Chipo Muzinda Chitsamba (37) – female adult, Musipa Village, Chief Shumba, Masvingo.
14. Spiwe Aggiffa Katore (61) – female adult, DDF Staff Quarters.
15. Lucia Mereki – female adult, Siakaloba Village, Chief Mola.
16. Shupikai Makawu – female adult, Mangwara Village, Chief Mola.
17. Enita Mazhomba – female adult, Ngwara Village, Chief Mola.
18. Memory Chaka – female adult, Hurungwe Prison, Karoi.
19. Cain Nzerombairi – male juvenile, Nyawanda Farm, Karoi.
20. Average Murambatsvina – male juvenile, 2559 Batonga, Nyamhunga, Kariba.
21. Permission Nzerombairi – male adult, Nyawanda Farm, Karoi.
22. Keresiya Dhumbura (40) – female adult, 705 Nyamhunga 2, Kariba.
23. Kelly Busumani (4) – female juvenile, 8774 Chiedza, Karoi.
24. Alubo Nzira (6) – female juvenile, Kalundu Village, Chief Mola, Sabhuku Zvamoyo.
25. Wishmore Charindapanze (4) – male juvenile, 1625 Nyamhunga 3, Kariba.
26. McDonald Nyasha Gumpo (1 year 2 months) – male juvenile, 705 Nyamhunga 2, Kariba.
27. Anisha Chipuma (6) – female juvenile, 220 Nyamhunga 1, Kariba.
28. Lael Samanyanga (1 year 6 months) – male juvenile, Hurungwe, Karoi.
29. Gomo Tapiwa (39) – male adult, Hurungwe Prison, Karoi.
30. Patience Ndebele (3) – female juvenile, Giachimba 1 Village, Chief Sinakatenge.
31. Connic Mutale (2) – male juvenile, King’s Camp, Kariba.
32. Hailly Tauro (1 year 2 months) – male juvenile, 523 Nyamhunga 1, Kariba.
33. Wendy Ndandarika (1) – female juvenile, 1233 Nyamhunga 3, Kariba.
34. Petronella Lembani (26) – female adult, Claudia, Karoi.
35. Nashrey Pensula (5) – female juvenile, Claudia, Karoi.
36. Anashe Pensula (3) – male juvenile, Claudia, Karoi.
37. Precious Nyajina (57) – female adult, Corner Store, Seke, Chitungwiza.
38. Constance Siampongo (37) – female adult, Chilimamba Village, Chief Mola.
39. Daisy Siachiwa (23) – female adult, Mangwara Village, Chief Mola.
40. Luoisa Kayi (24) – female adult, 328 Nyamhunga 1, Kariba.
41. Handespike Charindapanze (54) – male adult, Msamba Fishing Camps.
42. Susan Muntanga (41) – female adult, Padenga Holdings Staff Quarters.
43. Moleen Mandirera (34) – female adult, Nyawanda Farm, Karoi.
44. Marven Dope (46) – male adult, 2 Oversees, Mola.
The ZRP said identification of the remaining recovered bodies is still in progress and further information will be released as and when new developments arise.
