By Agencies/Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come under criticism for attending the SADC Summit in South Africa while families affected by the Lake Kariba ferry disaster were still mourning their loved ones.
The criticism was raised in an opinion piece by writer Jurumugambutsu, who questioned the President’s priorities following the tragedy. The writer argued that Mnangagwa should have visited Kariba before travelling to South Africa for the regional summit. “Leadership is not just about regional meetings. It’s about showing up when your people are hurting,” the opinion piece said. New members who wish to receive reliable daily news updates from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should “follow” our channel on the link below:
The writer said the President’s absence from Kariba had deepened the pain felt by affected families, arguing that a visit would have demonstrated solidarity with survivors and bereaved relatives. The article also called for stronger government action following the disaster, including improved ferry safety, safety audits, rescue equipment and compensation for victims’ families. “Kariba deserved better,” the writer said, accusing authorities of neglecting long‑standing safety concerns on Lake Kariba.
The criticism comes as authorities continue dealing with the aftermath of the ferry disaster, with recovery efforts and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident still underway. The writer contrasted Mnangagwa’s attendance at the SADC Summit with his absence from Kariba, arguing that national disasters should take precedence when citizens are grieving. “If the President has time to fly to South Africa, why didn’t he first fly to Kariba?” the writer asked.
The opinion piece described the deaths as a national emergency and urged the Government to treat the disaster with urgency. However, the article represents the views of its author and does not constitute an official government assessment of the President’s response. Government officials were not quoted responding to the criticism.
This development feeds into broader discussions around disaster response accountability and public expectations of leadership.
