By Portia Muzorava
Apostolic Churches Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) has joined the nation in mourning the victims of the tragic Lake Kariba boat accident, describing the incident as heartbreaking.
In a statement released on Thursday, ACCZ President, Archbishop Tobias Zunguzira, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and urged Zimbabweans to stand together in prayer and support for those affected by the disaster.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in the Kariba boat accident. On behalf of the Apostolic Churches Council of Zimbabwe, I extend our heartfelt condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray that God grants them comfort, strength and peace during this difficult time,” he said.
The Archbishop also expressed sympathy to survivors who are recovering from the traumatic ordeal and commended rescue teams, health workers and all agencies involved in the ongoing search and recovery operations.
“We continue to pray for those still missing and for the success of the rescue efforts. May the Lord protect and strengthen everyone working tirelessly to save lives and assist the affected families,” he added.
The Kariba disaster has shocked the country after a passenger boat travelling on Lake Kariba capsized earlier this week. Authorities say the vessel was carrying far more passengers than its approved capacity when it overturned in rough conditions. Rescue operations have continued as officials search for missing passengers. Police and civil protection authorities have confirmed that dozens of people have died in the accident.
Archbishop Zunguzira called on churches across Zimbabwe to hold special prayers for the victims, survivors and the nation, saying moments of tragedy require unity, compassion and collective support.
“This is a time for the church and the nation to come together. Let us support the grieving, encourage the survivors and uphold our country in prayer,” he said.
The ACCZ president said the tragedy should also inspire renewed commitment to protecting human life and ensuring that safety measures are observed in all forms of public transport.
As Zimbabwe continues to mourn the Kariba boat disaster, messages of condolence have continued to pour in from religious leaders, civic organisations and citizens across the country.
