Ignatius Chiome has been implicated in the death of nearly 100 people whose vessel capsized
Zimbabwean police have arrested a senior local official over the Lake Kariba ferry disaster that killed 97 people earlier this month.
Ignatius Chiome, a district coordinator for the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), has been charged with culpable homicide, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said on X on Wednesday.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest and subsequent appearance in court of Kariba RIDA District Coordinator, Ignatius Chiome (49),” the statement read.
A ruling on Chiome’s bail application was postponed on Thursday and was expected on Friday, the Herald, a local media outlet, reported. His lawyer, Samuel Muyemeki, said the magistrate had not completed the ruling. “The court has to make a decision and that’s the position of the law. Once the decision is there, everyone concerned will have to know,” he said, as quoted by the news agency.
Prosecutors allege that administrative failures, overloading and breaches of operational safety procedures contributed to the August 11 disaster. The victims include a number of young children.
Read more Zimbabwe ferry disaster death toll rises to 94
The 41-year-old ferry was carrying up to 180 passengers and heavy cargo when it left Andora Harbour for the Chalala fishing camps, despite having an authorized capacity of 90 passengers, according to The Herald. The investigation is continuing, and prosecutors have indicated that further arrests could follow.
The RIDA-operated Mbuya Nehanda ferry capsized on Lake Kariba while traveling from the town of Kariba to communities and fishing camps along the lake. Local broadcaster ZBC News previously reported that the vessel encountered strong waves during the journey.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the sinking a national disaster and ordered maritime safety agencies and security forces to address shortcomings in Zimbabwe’s maritime capabilities. The African Union also expressed condolences, with AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf saying the bloc stood “in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and the affected communities.”
READ MORE: Dozens missing after boat capsizes in Zimbabwe (VIDEO)
Similar deadly boat accidents have occurred elsewhere in Africa. In September, at least 29 people were killed when a wooden boat carrying around 90 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s Niger State. Officials said the vessel was overloaded and struck a submerged tree stump.