Kariba ferry replacement faces nine-month wait

iHarare reports that a permanent replacement for the ill-fated Mbuya Nehanda ferry, which capsized on Lake Kariba on September 7, 2026 killing 97 people, will take at least nine months to arrive, and the replacement ferry will be built locally. The delay leaves Kariba communities without a vital transport link, and the disaster was one of the deadliest in Lake Kariba's history. Authorities confirmed the wait for a new vessel, stranding isolated communities that depend on the ferry for access to markets and healthcare. The government has not provided a temporary alternative, exacerbating the isolation of remote villages and increasing hardship for the affected residents. ZimLive reports that accusations of criminal negligence and underfunding have stalled responses, leaving vulnerable residents exposed to fatal transport risks. The lack of a replacement ferry increases the risk of further tragedies, and the underfunding of the ferry service has been a long-standing issue.