By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
In the quiet fishing town of Kariba, where life revolves around the vast waters of Lake Kariba, tragedy has struck again.
A local woman is missing and feared dead after a brutal crocodile attack, leaving the community in shock and sorrow.
The attack, which happened yesterday afternoon, was witnessed by Josphat Muleya, a local fisherman who was casting his net nearby. His voice trembled as he recounted the terrifying moment.
“I heard her screams—piercing, desperate. I ran toward the water, but by the time I got there, she was gone. The crocodile had already pulled her under,” he said, his face etched with anguish.
For many in the community, this tragedy feels unbearably cruel. The woman—whose identity has yet to be officially confirmed—had already suffered a devastating loss.
Just last year, she lost her husband when a boat capsized in the same waters. Those who knew her say she had been hesitant to return to the lake, haunted by grief and the whispers of an old belief: that her husband’s spirit lingered, warning her to stay away.
Local spiritual leaders had urged her to observe a nine-month mourning period before stepping into the lake again, fearing an unsettled spirit sought her. But life in Kariba revolves around the water—it provides food, transport, and livelihood. And so, despite the warnings, she returned.
Now, the lake has claimed her too.
This tragedy is the latest in a series of devastating incidents on Lake Kariba. Just last month, a violent storm overturned a boat, leaving one person missing.
Fishermen here face mounting dangers—not just from the unpredictable waters but also from crocodiles and hippos that lurk beneath the surface.
In November 2019, two fishermen drowned when their boat capsized in monstrous waves, a tragic reminder of how unforgiving the lake can be. Climate change has made things worse, intensifying storms and making the already dangerous waters even more treacherous.
Authorities have urged caution, especially during the rainy season, but for those who depend on the lake for survival, avoiding it is not an option.
Safety concerns have led to renewed calls for better protection measures—stronger patrols, more warning systems, and better education on water safety.
As the search for the missing woman continues, the people of Kariba mourn—not just for her, but for all the lives lost to the lake’s relentless pull. At the water’s edge, villagers gather, some whispering prayers, others staring silently at the rippling surface, hoping for a miracle but fearing the worst.
For now, the lake holds its secrets. And for Kariba, another family grieves.
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