Antony Chawagarira
KARIBA — The arrival of a new privately owned ferry on Lake Kariba has brought fresh hope to communities, fishermen and traders who rely on water transport following last week’s Mbuya Nehanda Ferry disaster.
The new vessel, Silverstone Boat, owned by Most High Ferries (Pvt) Ltd and directed by Hillard Mangrove, is expected to provide an alternative transport link once it completes the mandatory inspection, certification and approval processes.
The development comes as the search for victims of the Mbuya Nehanda Ferry disaster continues, with two people still reported missing and the confirmed death toll expected to reach 97.
District Police Officer, Dispol Maramwidze, confirmed that two people remained unaccounted for according to the official registry of relatives who have reported missing family members.
One recovered body also remains unidentified at Kariba District Hospital.
The search and recovery operation, which has been underway for more than a week, is reportedly being scaled down, although efforts to locate the remaining missing persons continue.
The operation has also consumed substantial resources, with sources indicating that more than 3 000 litres of fuel have been required daily to sustain activities on the lake.
Against this background, the arrival of Silverstone has been welcomed by residents who say reliable water transport is critical to the local economy.
Two Kariba residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said the new vessel could ease transport challenges faced by communities, particularly fishermen and traders, provided it is cleared by authorities and operated in accordance with safety regulations.
“The coming of the boat gives us hope because many people depend on the lake for transport and business. We welcome the development, but safety must come first,” one resident said.
Another resident said the ferry could help restore confidence in water transport if it was properly inspected and maintained.
“We need transport, but after what happened, nobody wants another tragedy. We want the authorities to make sure everything is in order before the boat starts carrying passengers,” the resident said.
The Silverstone is powered by a six-cylinder, approximately 275-horsepower inboard engine and has three pontoons designed to enhance stability.
According to the operator, the vessel can carry about 90 passengers and significant cargo, including up to six tonnes of fish, 300 ice blocks and Matemba.
It is also equipped with Wi-Fi, charging points, separate toilets for men and women, a shower and a tuckshop.
The operator says the vessel has 115 life jackets, 10 life rings, two tender boats powered by 70HP engines, two life rafts and a 175HP Suzuki backup engine.
However, the stated specifications have not yet been independently verified by the relevant authorities and should not be regarded as the vessel’s officially approved passenger or cargo capacity.
The ferry still requires inspection and certification, including assessment by the Lake Captain, issuance of a fitness certificate and relevant permits from the Ministry of Transport and other authorities responsible for navigation, parks and lake usage.
The arrival of the vessel has also prompted calls for Government to facilitate a transparent and thorough assessment so that, if it meets all safety requirements, it can be deployed to help communities affected by the disruption in water transport.
The development of Silverstone reportedly predates the Mbuya Nehanda tragedy and was therefore not a rushed response to the disaster.
Residents and stakeholders have consequently urged authorities to use the opportunity to strengthen the entire water transport system on Lake Kariba while ensuring that safety remains the priority.
Meanwhile, attention is gradually shifting towards investigations into the Mbuya Nehanda disaster and support for affected families as the search and recovery operation winds down.
The tragedy has raised renewed concerns over safety enforcement, vessel certification, passenger capacity and emergency preparedness on Lake Kariba.
For communities dependent on the lake, the arrival of Silverstone offers a potential lifeline, but residents say the new ferry must only operate after satisfying all statutory safety requirements.
