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.
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.
According to Zambia Watchdog,
the riots were sparked off by PF Government reckless statements that some
people believed to be foreign nationals had been apprehended by police in
connection with the ritual killings.
That reckless statement
and tone alone has now led to xenophobic attacks against foreigners and their
businesses. With the current economic crisis and poverty, people are taking
advantage of the situation.
People are mainly
looting food stuffs such as mealie meal, sugar, bread, cooking oil and other
essential commodities that have gone way beyond majority of the Zambian people.
There has also been very
slow action on the part of the police which is known to act swiftly when issues
involve PF political opponent. Meanwhile, a cross section of people blamed the
vilent attacks on the government. Another person attributed the riots to
frustration caused by economic hardships.
"You cannot rule
out economic hardships as a cause to the frustration. People want to seize
every opportunity to break into shops and loot foodstuffs
A senior Police officer
who spoke to Zambia Watchdog said the Police command has since asked for
reinforce from Sondela , a paramilitary training school in Chilanga.
"Things are not
getting any better. We have actually asked for beefing up of offcers from
Sondela" the officer said.
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