Two people were burned to death on Monday during xenophobic violence in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, police have said in a statement.
The supporters turned to show solidarity to their party vice-president Geofrey Mwamba who has since been arrested and charged with unlawful drilling. / AFP / Dawood SALIM (Photo credit should read DAWOOD SALIM/AFP/Getty Images)
The riots started after rumours that Rwandans were behind recent ritual killings in the city.
The two were Zambian nationals killed “in the confusion” Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila reportedly said.
More than 250 people have been arrested after more than 60 Rwandan-owned shops were looted in two days of violence.
The two Zambians had been burned with firewood and vehicle tyres, according to police quoted by the AFP news agency.
Six people have been murdered since March and their body parts removed.
Rumours circulated that the body parts would be used as charms to ensure success in business.
Police spokeswoman Charity Munganga urged Zambians not to believe “false rumours”.
“No baby or human body parts were found in any fridge belonging to any foreign national. These statements are coming from people with criminal minds to create alarm among the members of the public and justify their criminality,” she said in a statement.
