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Lusaka — Zambia has assured foreign nationals that police would “handle the situation” following xenophobic attacks connected to ritual killings in the southern African country.
Zambian authorities arrested over 200 people over the weekend for rioting and ransacking Rwandan-owned shops in Lusaka over allegations that foreigners were behind a string of ritual killings.
According to The Herald, foreign nationals were forced to take refuge in police stations.
Foreigners compared the situation to xenophobic attacks that occurred in South Africa last year.
In a statement, Zambian Home Affairs Minister, Davis Mwila assured foreigners that the situation was under control.
Mwila said the situation was hijacked by criminals who took advantage of the violence to commit crime.
“We would like to urge Zambians to continue maintaining the unblemished high reputation respected by the international community of being hospitable to foreigners, including refugees,” Mwila was quoted as saying.
Images of the attacks were posted on twitter. — AFP
Online Reporter