Kariba and Binga residents have approached the High Court seeking an urgent order compelling the Government to provide adequate, safe and reliable ferry services across Lake Kariba following the sinking of the Mbuya Nehanda ferry in August.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is representing Kariba resident Tonderai Ndevani and Binga resident Chilumbo Mudenda in the urgent application filed at the High Court in Chinhoyi on 25 September 2026.
The application was filed by ZLHR lawyers Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Clara Phiri.
The residents say the sinking of the Mbuya Nehanda on 11 August has left communities around Lake Kariba struggling to travel and maintain links with their families.
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“The residents say that the capsizing of the Mbuya Nehanda ferry in August 2026 has left communities struggling to travel and reach their families,” ZLHR said.
The organisation said a privately operated ferry introduced on 18 September was unable to meet demand, while road alternatives were costly and involved significantly longer journeys.
“They argue that the privately operated ferry introduced on 18 September cannot adequately meet demand, while road alternatives involve costly, lengthy journeys,” ZLHR said.
The Mbuya Nehanda, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), sank while travelling from Kariba towards Chalala Fishing Camp.
The Government put the death toll at 97, with 77 people rescued. President Emmerson Mnangagwa subsequently declared the incident a State of Disaster.
The ferry had provided an important transport link for communities around Lake Kariba, where road travel can involve significantly longer distances.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona previously said the shortest road route connecting Kariba Rural and Kariba Urban was 313km, while the longest was 437km.
The Government subsequently certified a privately owned ferry to restore water transport and said two additional vessels were being procured through RIDA.
The residents, however, argue that the replacement arrangements do not adequately meet the needs of communities that depend on ferry services.
ZLHR said the application is based on constitutional rights protected under Chapter 4 of the Constitution.
“The application invokes Chapter 4 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, specifically section 66(2)(a), protecting freedom of movement, and section 51, protecting human dignity,” the organisation said.
The lawyers are also relying on Section 44 of the Constitution, which requires the State and its institutions to respect, protect, promote and fulfil fundamental rights.
ZLHR is asking the court to order the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, RIDA and the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to provide adequate ferries that meet statutory safety requirements.
“ZLHR’s legal team is asking the court to order the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency and the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to provide adequate ferries meeting statutory safety standards within one month of the court’s order and submit monthly progress reports,” the organisation said.
The residents are also seeking a declaration that the failure to provide adequate ferry services violates their constitutional rights to freedom of movement and human dignity.
The legal challenge comes as the Government works to restore water transport on Lake Kariba following the disaster.
Government has said it is seeking private-sector participation to bridge the gap left by the Mbuya Nehanda and is procuring additional vessels through RIDA.
ZLHR said the application seeks urgent relief for affected communities as well as court oversight of the Government’s response.
“Through this intervention, ZLHR is pursuing urgent relief for affected residents and court oversight of the authorities’ response, so that communities relying on Lake Kariba ferry services can travel safely, reliably and affordably,” ZLHR said.
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