Xenophobic attacks rock Lusaka over ritual killings

dimeji akinloye

April 18, 2016 7:46 PM

According to Zambian Police, the foreigners were accused of using Zambian citizens for money rituals.

Scene of xenophobic attack

According to Zambian Police, the foreigners were accused of involvement in ritual killings.

The 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 was said to have started following the discovery of a mutilated body in Zingalume last Saturday.

Four suspects were also arrested on Sunday.

The discovery was the sixth of its kind in or near the two neighbourhoods in two months.

The victims were believed to have been killed to obtain body parts for money rituals.

READ: Xenophobic attacks Nigerian killed in SA [Graphic Photo]

"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,’’ Zambian Police spokesperson, Charity Munganga-Chanda said.

Pulse recalls that Xenophobic attacks also broke out in South Africa in 2015, with many foreigners brutally murdered. Citizens of the country had accused the foreigners of depriving them of employment, thereby demanding they go back to their respective countries.

dimeji akinloye