Crowds of people gathered in the wake of tyhe attacks
Hundreds of foreign nationals have converged in various police
stations in shanty compounds seeking protection from Zambian attackers
who are looting their shops and businesses.
According to Zambia Watchdog, yesterday, April 18, violent
Zenophobic attacks erupted in Lusaka, Zingalume, George and parts of
Garden and Mandevu compounds.
Zambians rioted and looted shops owned by non-Zambians especially
people from Rwanda. One person was burnt to ashes in Kanyama but his
identify has not yet been verified. Two other persons were stoned to
death.
Residents of the Zambian capital Lusaka on Monday looted shops
belonging to foreigners, accusing them of involvement in ritual
killings.
The xenophobic attacks reportedly started at a house and a shop
belonging to an entrepreneur from Rwanda in the low-income Zingalume
neighbourhood.
They then spread to nearby Chunga neighbourhood. Zingalume
residents stoned police, who responded with tear gas. The relentless
rioting forced police to seek reinforcements.
The rioting followed the discovery of a mutilated body in Zingalume on Saturday. Four suspects were arrested on Sunday.
Security operatives were dispatched to contain the situation
The discovery was the sixth of its kind in or near the two
neighbourhoods in two months. The victims are believed to have been
killed to obtain body parts for use in rituals aimed at obtaining wealth
or power.
“The residents, who were chanting slogans, have accused us, the police, of not providing enough security to them.
“Now they are saying these foreign businessmen are behind the ritual killings.
“We appeal for calm, as police are still investigating these murders, and all those behind them will be brought to book,’’ Police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said.
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