At least six people have been murdered in the capital in the past
four weeks and police said some body parts including ears, hearts and
genitals had been removed.
People use a pole to batter a shop doorway during clashes with police in Lusaka April 19, 2016.
Hundreds of people hurled stones at police and looted dozens of foreign-owned shops in different townships in Lusaka on Tuesday, police said, the second day of violence prompted by rumours of immigrants carrying out ritual murders.
At
least six people have been murdered in the capital in the past four
weeks and police said some body parts including ears, hearts and
genitals had been removed.
This has raised
suspicion of ritual killings by immigrants, even though police have
suggested neither. Rumours circulating on social media allege body parts
would be used as charms to ensure success in business.
Zambia
hosts thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries, especially
Rwanda and Burundi, but relations between the communities are usually
peaceful.
A Reuters witness saw the rioters
breaking into and loot a shop belonging to a Rwandan trader in a crowded
township east of Lusaka.
Police spokeswoman Charity Munganga-Chanda said 62 shops had been looted and 256 suspects detained for looting and rioting.
Davis Mwila, the home affairs minister, said several foreigners had sought refuge in police stations for fear of being attacked.
Speaking
after touring some of the affected areas, Mwila said 11 people had been
detained on suspicion of being involved in ritual killings.
The United Nations refugee agency condemned the attacks on foreigners, including refugees who have sought asylum in Zambia.
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