Soldiers deployed in Lusaka

The situation in the restive suburbs and compounds in Zambia’s capital Lusaka has improved significantly following the deployment of troops to complement police efforts. This follows two days of rioting and looting that saw foreigners including Zimbabweans seeking refuge at police stations.

The violence that reportedly led to the death of at least two people, was in retribution to alleged cases of ritual murders targeting Zambians that has been solely blamed on Rwandese and Burundian businesspeople.

Sources in Zambia said more than 100 soldiers have been deployed to quell any disturbances.

“The situation is now calm and almost normal after soldiers moved in to patrol the affected areas,” said a source. The most affected areas include George, Lilanda, Chunga and Zingalume areas in the west while in the north, parts of Matero, Chaisa, Kabanana, Mandevu and Chipata compound were affected.

Zambian officials have blamed criminal elements for taking advantage of the riots and looting from foreign-owned businesses.

The riots are said to have been sparked by false reports of the release of a ritual murder suspected.

It emerged that he had been arrested for behaviour likely to disturb peace.

At least 62 shops had been looted by yesterday, while 256 suspects have been arrested.

Looters mainly targeted food stuffs such as mealie meal, sugar, bread, cooking oil and other essential commodities.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Zambia Ms Laura Lo Castro has since expressed concern at the attack on foreigners and refugees. She commended Zambia’s response in a bid to contain the violence and encouraged continued efforts in restoring stability in the affected areas. — WiresHerald Reporter.

Zambian Police Services spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said two people died contrary to reports putting the figure at seven people.

“The official number of people who have died from the time the looting started is two. These are the ones who were burnt to death on 18th April 2016 in Kanyama compound,” she said.