By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
The body of Peter Mutandawa, a fisherman who went missing last Thursday after being electrocuted by a generator while fishing on Lake Kariba, was recovered Monday at Antope Island.
The tragic incident has intensified concerns over the safety measures in place for fishermen in the region.
Peter had been out on a boat with fellow fisherman Michael Matamba when disaster struck. Matamba recounted the harrowing experience:
“It happened in the early hours of Friday. Our underwater light wasn’t working, so we decided to remove it. When Peter tried to disconnect it, he was electrocuted and fell straight into the water.”
Following a five-day search operation conducted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s sub-aqua unit, Peter’s body was finally retrieved from the depths of Lake Kariba. His death adds to a disturbing trend—more than ten drowning cases have been reported in the lake since January.
For Peter’s family and friends, the recovery of his body brings painful closure. Heartbreakingly, this tragedy follows closely on the heels of another—Peter’s brother also drowned in the same vicinity just a month ago.
As fatalities mount, concerns over inadequate safety protocols for fishing operations have reached critical levels. Reports indicate that many kapenta rigs in Kariba are poorly maintained, posing significant hazards to fishermen. A glaring lack of basic safety equipment and regulatory oversight has exacerbated these dangers.
Local fishermen are now calling for immediate action.
“Do we even have a department that inspects the fitness of these kapenta rigs?” one fisherman questioned. “Lake navigation hasn’t had a patrol speedboat in over ten years. We need proper enforcement to prevent more tragedies.”
As the community mourns the loss of Peter Mutandawa, the urgency for enhanced safety measures has never been greater. Without intervention, the waters of Lake Kariba will continue to claim lives, leaving families shattered and communities demanding change.
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