Police pick up 11 suspects linked to ritual murders as Xenophobic attacks intensify

Eleven suspects have been detained by Police in connection with ritual murders that have rocked Lusaka city.

About six people have been killed and their bodies dumped in various locations in Lusaka with missing body parts in what many believe are ritual killers.

And the riots that erupted yesterday targeted at Rwandese owned businesses have intensified with many more shops in other compounds being looted.

Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila who toured some of the compounds affected this morning told Journalists that police are currently holding eleven suspects in connection with the spate of ritual murders.

Mr Mwila could however not confirm where some of the suspects are foreign nationals.

“What is important is that these are suspects, whether Zambians or foreigners and they are helping with investigations,” Mr Mwila said.

He also disclosed that about 254 residents are also in police custody for allegedly participating in riotous behaviour.

Mr Mwila said the suspects were picked up from Kanyama, Chawama, George and Zingalume townships.

“As government, we have continued appealing to our people to remain calm and allow the police to investigate these murders thoroughly, we don’t want our people to take the law into their own hands,” he said.

And more compounds in Lusaka this morning joined the Xenophobic attacks on Rwandese owned shops.

Residents of Bauleni, 10 Miles and Chainda started rioting early in the morning and looted shops belonging to Rwanda nationals resident in Zambia accusing them of being behind the ritual murders.

Some of the rioting residents interviewed vowed to continue with their riots until the Rwandese are flushed out of Zambia.

They also claimed that Rwandese nationals should leave the country because they have apparently taken over all the business opportunities in their areas.

The residents also blamed Government for allowing the Rwandese to open shops at every corner in most of the compounds depriving Zambians of the needed business opportunities.