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Source: Fears grow for children as Kariba ferry death toll rises to 15 –Newsday Zimbabwe

KARIBA, Aug. 11 (NewsDay Live)h: Fears are mounting that many children may have died when the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (formerly DDF) Mbuyanehanda Ferry capsized near Long Island in Kariba this afternoon.

A NewsDay witness said at least 15 people have now been confirmed dead, while 74 others have been rescued, according to information from the rescue operation.

A witness involved in the rescue efforts, however, said the number of people who were on board could have been significantly higher than the 90 paid passengers initially reported.

“There were 90 paid passengers, but anybody over 16 doesn’t pay, so [we] assumed 154 on board. Sixty-three on Long Island [were] saved, 12 were picked up by a houseboat, which is on the way back to Kariba, seven bodies and about 79 people missing. Yeah, very tragic, not looking great at all,” the witness said.

The figures could not immediately be independently verified, and they differ from earlier information released by police, which said the ferry was carrying 90 people and five crew members.

Rescue teams were continuing to search under the overturned vessel for more bodies, while the number of people still missing remained unclear.

Sources said about 40 children of different ages were believed to have been on board and some were yet to be accounted for.

The sources said children under four years were not required to have tickets, potentially making it difficult for authorities to establish the exact number of people who were on board.

The conflicting figures have raised concerns that the ferry may have been carrying more than 100 people, potentially indicating overloading.

The ferry was reportedly carrying passengers and goods from Kariba to Chalala Fishing Camp when it capsized.

Local radio presenter Given Siakanoka, who said he had relatives on board, described the incident as devastating.

“I am yet to know whether my relatives have survived,” he said.

Police, army and other local authorities were continuing search and rescue operations around Long Island.

The circumstances surrounding the capsizing were not immediately clear.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

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A major search-and-rescue operation was under way on Tuesday after a passenger ferry overturned on Lake Kariba, with police confirming that 90 people and five crew members were aboard the vessel. The boat, identified in local reports as the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency’s RIDA Mbuyanehanda Ferry, capsized near Long Island as it travelled across the […]

The post Over 90 people feared dead as boat carrying 90 passengers are 5 crew members capsizes in Lake Kariba (VIDEOS) first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Source: Kuwadzana home industries approach court over demolition threat –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Aug. 11 (NewsDay Live) — The Kuwadzana 1 Home Industry Association has approached the High Court seeking to stop the City of Harare from evicting members and demolishing their businesses at stands 1 to 101.

The association, represented by Chenaimoyo Gumiro, cited the City of Harare as the respondent in an urgent chamber application for an interdict.

The applicants want an interim order barring the city from demolishing their service industry structures without a court order from a competent court.

They are also seeking a final order compelling the city not to evict them without providing an alternative site for their service industry activities.

In an affidavit filed by member Blessing Svongwa, the association said the City of Harare approved a layout plan in July 2013 under plan number TPE/WR/18/12, which provided for 196 stands.

Svongwa said stands 1 to 101 were designated for service industry, while stands 108 to 196 were zoned for residential purposes.

He said the service industry stands were located on wetlands and had been used for home or service industry activities since 1991 with the knowledge and consent of council.

“It is the respondent (City of Harare) which actually facilitated the construction of a toilet at the site and instructed the applicant (Kuwadzana 1 Home Industry) to connect water to the toilet, which was complied with,” Svongwa said.

He added that the council also directed the association to fence the area, which members did, while some members had been issued interim leases and continued paying rentals to council.

According to the affidavit, in July 2016 the District Administration Officer wrote to the Kuwadzana District Officer advising of the need to relocate the businesses to an approved site.

Svongwa said council indicated that the area was supposed to be allocated to Chombouta Housing Cooperative under what was referred to as approved layout plan number TP2F/WR/18/12 and a council resolution dated March 2, 2015.

However, he said the association had only seen the 2013 layout plan, which designated stands 1 to 101 for service industry.

On October 14, 2025, the association wrote to the City of Harare’s Director of Housing objecting to the proposed change of use of the area.

The dispute escalated on July 15 this year when council served the association’s management committee with a notice giving them 48 hours to vacate stands 1 to 101.

According to the court papers, council said it had identified a showroom, toilet, containers, fencing, workshops and a borehole on the site and classified the developments as illegal.

The city warned that failure to comply would result in enforcement action against the developments and home industries.

The following day, the association’s lawyers wrote to council arguing that its members were not illegally occupying the land, citing payments made to council, temporary allocation lease forms and recognition of members as small and medium enterprises.

They also requested a meeting to resolve the dispute.

The association said council did not respond to the letter or proceed to enforce the notice within the threatened 48-hour period.

The applicants said they initially believed council had reconsidered its position after they submitted proof of payments and permits and sought dialogue.

On July 28, they wrote another letter to the Urban Planning Department seeking assurance that council would not proceed arbitrarily and raising concerns over its failure to respond.

Svongwa said the association subsequently came across a July 20, 2026 document indicating that council intended to enforce the notice on August 5 at 8am.

He said the discovery prompted the association to approach the High Court urgently.

The association argues that its occupation is consistent with the 2013 approved layout plan, which designated stands 1 to 101 for service industry, and that the area had been used for such purposes for more than three decades.

It also disputes council’s characterisation of the structures as illegal, arguing that some of the developments were undertaken with council’s knowledge and involvement.

The applicants said the businesses were their source of income and supported the education, healthcare and other basic needs of their families, while some business owners also employed workers.

They argued that an abrupt disruption of their businesses would cause significant hardship to members and their employees.

The application is pending.

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Source: Lake Kariba ferry hits strong wave, fears high for the safety of passengers – herald

Walter Nyamukondiwa

Mashonaland West Bureau Chief

Search and rescue efforts are currently underway as a passenger ferry capsized after hitting turbulence, amid fears that several passengers have drowned.

The district Civil Protection Unit and other well-wishers with boats have ventured into the lake in a bid to provide rescue and support services.
A helicopter is also providing support.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the ferry, which provides transport services between Kariba, several islands and fishing camps such as Charara and Gache Gache, could have been carrying more than 100 passengers.
“The Lake Captain and the district CPU have ventured into the lake as the boat is currently sinking. Details are still sketchy,” said a source in Kariba.

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Source: NEW: President Mnangagwa orders modernisation of defence systems amid global turbulence – herald

Online Reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has directed the leadership of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) to rapidly modernise the country’s defence capabilities, citing increasingly unpredictable global security dynamics, turbulent international relations and far-reaching economic shocks affecting nations worldwide.

Addressing thousands at Rufaro Stadium during the 46th Anniversary of Defence Forces Day today, the Commander-in-Chief outlined a comprehensive vision to realign Zimbabwe’s security architecture.

The 2026 commemorations were held under the theme “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030”.

“Our goal is to safeguard peace, stability and the new national development trajectory through a realigned security architecture that reinforces progress and realisation of Vision 2030,” President Mnangagwa declared.

Embracing AI, cyber security and domestic innovation

The President stressed that in an evolving complex threat landscape, military readiness must go beyond traditional warfare methods.

He urged senior military officers to take the lead in building an innovative defence ecosystem that embraces science, technology and fluid, resource-efficient systems.

Highlighting specific technological priorities, President Mnangagwa called for strengthening dedicated units to anticipate and mitigate the impact of artificial intelligence and cyber threats on national security.

He also called for the commercialisation of ground-breaking student research and military innovations displayed at the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU) to foster internal defence self-reliance.

Food security and community development
The Head of State commended the armed forces for contributing directly to socio-economic growth and national food security through production on military institutional farms.

He challenged the forces to expand beyond basic production into agro-processing ventures and high-value agricultural exports.

Highlighting the ZDF’s civil-military projects, the President commended ongoing infrastructure development, including the construction of schools and health facilities in Rushinga, Buhera, Gokwe, Mutasa North and Harare, as well as medical outreach missions conducted with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

On disaster response and internal security, the President lauded the military for precision search-and-rescue operations during natural disasters in Masvingo and Midlands Provinces, as well as joint border control operations with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) along borders with South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique.

Landmine clearance and international diplomacy

President Mnangagwa highlighted ongoing efforts to clear residual landmines planted during the liberation struggle, which continue to render large tracts of land economically inactive.

He thanked international development partners — including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), HALO Trust and Mines Advisory Group (MAG) — for assisting the ZDF National Mine Clearance Unit towards achieving a mine-free status under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty.

On international relations, the President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s diplomatic stance of being “a friend to all and enemy to none”.

He described Zimbabwe’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term as a global tribute to its commitment to peace.
He also commended the Air Force of Zimbabwe for its participation in the regional SADC Exercise Blue Lugwashu in Zambia, announcing that Zimbabwe will host the next edition of the military exercise in 2027.

Commitment to troops’ welfare

Concluding his address, President Mnangagwa assured members of the armed forces that his administration remains committed to improving their welfare and service conditions.

This includes expanding housing and institutional infrastructure in cantonment areas and integrating renewable energy technologies to ensure stable power across military establishments.

“Officers, men and women of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the nation is proud of you,” President Mnangagwa concluded.

“Sustain the momentum and keep up the good work that has earned you the status of a dependable, professional and highly reputable force.”

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