By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
In the quiet fishing town of Kariba, grief hangs heavily over the community after a boat accident on Lake Kariba claimed the life of a young conservation scout, Daniel Bela.
The 29-year-old father of two was aboard a vessel carrying five people — three My Trees scouts and two ZimParks rangers — when it capsized earlier this week near the Muchenga fishing camp.
The boat, on a routine journey from My Trees Harbour to the ARDA fishing camp, struck a submerged stump and overturned. Four passengers, all wearing life jackets, managed to cling to the overturned vessel.
But Bela, who was piloting the boat and was not wearing a life jacket, slipped beneath the surface and never resurfaced.
The news of his death sent shockwaves through Kariba, a tight-knit town where many depend on the lake for their livelihoods and know the risks all too well. It wasn’t just another statistic.
It was Daniel — a man known for his quiet strength, his commitment to protecting Zimbabwe’s forests, and above all, his love for his young family.
“He died a hero,” said Tichaona Manzungu, chairperson of the GacheGache Fishing Cooperative. “Daniel was one of the most dedicated scouts we’ve had.
“He loved his work and always put others before himself. His passing is a terrible loss — not just to his family, but to all of us who knew him.”
When the accident happened, one of the survivors managed to make a desperate call for help, triggering a rapid response from both local authorities and residents.
After days of searching, Bela’s body was finally recovered on Thursday and taken to Kariba Hospital for a postmortem.
Donavan Pilossof, founder and director of My Trees, expressed condolences and said investigations into the incident were ongoing.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Daniel was a vital part of our team. Our thoughts are with his wife, his children, and everyone affected,” he said.
Bela leaves behind a wife, a young son, and a daughter — a loss that has devastated his family and sent ripples of sorrow across the conservation and fishing communities.
This tragedy once again draws attention to the pressing need for improved safety measures on Lake Kariba.
The lake has seen several fatal accidents in recent years, including a 2022 incident that took two lives.
Many are now calling for mandatory life jacket use, better navigation training, and regular inspections of vessels.
“This can’t keep happening,” said Manzungu. “We need to protect the people who protect our resources. Daniel’s death must not be in vain.”
As Kariba mourns, the community is rallying around Bela’s family, raising funds and offering support. In their grief, they also carry a shared resolve — to make Lake Kariba safer for everyone who calls it home.
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