Over 200 refugees mainly Rwandese, Burundese and Congolese have taken shelter at St. Ignatius Catholic parish in Lusaka after sporadic riots erupted on suspicions that foreign nationals are behind the ritual murders that happened around the Zambian capital Lusaka.
H.E. Edgar Lungu, Zambian President (In Blue Shirt) Visiting Refugees
at St. Ignatius Catholic Parish in Lusaka
Recently, Lusaka has had people being killed by suspected rituals murders slicing off genitals, ears and removing hearts from such victims which is said to be used as fetishes to grow business especially by foreign nationals.
Rumours went round in densely populated communities of Lusaka that the police had arrested a foreign national in connection with the killings that is what sparkled violence when the communities vented their anger on Rwandese, Burundese and Congolese nationals operating grocery shops in Lusaka.
However, the police denied ever arresting any foreign national in relation to the killings but said they arrested one for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.
President Edgar Lungu who visited the refugees at St. Ignatius parish on Thursday, 21st April, spoke of the collective shame of the nation at the recent criminal attacks on some foreign nationals in the wake of recent ritual murders.
The president said that he was ashamed that some of his citizens can take to such criminality to attack foreigners.
“I take full responsibility on behalf of the Zambian people. I also assure you of full protection and security of your person and property.”
The President emphasized that the senseless violence in some parts of Lusaka are acts criminality rather than xenophobic.
The President said he will work with the UN and the Church to resolve the matter.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan and UNHCR Representative Laura Locaastro and the Catholic Priest Fr. Charles Chilinda, SJ, accompanied the President.
By Mwenya Mukuka, Communications Officer ZEC
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