Xenophobic riots erupt in Zambia over ritual killings

Hundreds of residents in slum areas of the Zambian capital on Monday held protests and looted foreign-owned shops over allegations that foreigners were behind a recent spate of ritual killings.At least seven people have reportedly been killed in the George and Zingalume neighbourhoods of Lusaka in recent weeks, with body parts such as ears, hearts and penises removed from the victims.
"Residents of Zingalume and George are looting shops belonging to foreigners... on suspicion that they are involved in the recent murders," police spokesperson Charity Chanda said in a statement.
"Officers in full riot gear have been deployed in the area."
Rwandan refugees run many of the shops in the affected parts of the
city, and residents have accused them of using the body parts for witchcraft.
A Rwandan man who declined to be named told AFP that they were not involved. "We are living in fear," he said.

Residents of the Zambian capital Lusaka on Monday looted shops belonging to foreigners, accusing them of involvement in ritual killings, police said. 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. 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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