By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba — What began as a routine fishing trip ended in terror for a group of Kariba fishermen, after their boat erupted in flames under the cover of night.
One man remains missing, and three others are recovering from severe burns — but they are alive to tell the story many feared would end in tragedy.
The incident occurred around 9 PM near Long Island on Lake Kariba, a familiar spot for the crew. But on this night, the waters turned hostile. Twajana Sibanda, a beloved member of the tight-knit fishing community, vanished into the dark after leaping from the burning vessel. He has not been seen since.
“We were just trying to earn a living,” said Theophilus Kataminina, the boat’s captain, from his hospital bed at Kariba District Hospital. His voice was heavy, his body bandaged.
“We’d left Mahombekombe Harbour just after 6 PM. Everything seemed normal until the engine cut out near Long Island.”
As they tried to refuel in the dark, tragedy struck. “Fuel splashed onto the engine’s hot exhaust. The boat caught fire instantly.
“There was nothing we could do but jump,” Kataminina recalled, eyes clouded with memory. “We were six on board. Only five of us made it back.”
That frantic scramble in the water, the searing pain of flames, and the uncertainty of whether help would arrive — it’s an ordeal they will never forget.
A passing boat eventually rescued the survivors. Twajana, however, did not resurface.
The community has rallied in the wake of the tragedy, praying for Twajana’s safe return and questioning the safety conditions that led to the incident.
In Kariba, fishing is not just a job — it’s a way of life. But for many, survival comes with daily risks.
Captain Adan Nyakete of the Inland Waters Department is now leading the investigation. He confirmed the boat was operating outside authorized hours and was carrying more passengers than permitted.
“Too many are risking their lives by traveling at night without registration or safety protocols. It has to stop,” he warned.
As search teams comb the lake’s expanse, Twajana’s family waits by the shore, clinging to hope.
For the survivors, the scars will take time to heal — physically and emotionally. But their story serves as a haunting reminder of the fragile line between survival and loss on the waters they know so well.
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