Zambian Pres Edgar Lungu
LUSAKA, March 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 50 people in Zambia have been killed in mob violence triggered in response to attacks in which people were sprayed with poisonous substances, President Edgar Lungu said, blaming church leaders for some of the reprisals.
The chemical attacks began in December and were initially confined to the mineral-rich copperbelt but have since spread to the capital Lusaka.
Police have yet to pinpoint the exact number of victims or the motive for the incidents.
In a speech to parliament, Lungu said some church and traditional leaders were inciting mobs to assault people suspected of being involved in the attacks.
Many Zambians have been angered by what they perceive as an inadequate response by police.
The lynchings have targeted people accused of involvement in a series of mysterious assaults with chemical spray that have harmed well over 1,000 Zambians since December and caused public panic.
The spray has left children and adults unconscious; there’s speculation the assailants seek to use the victims’ blood for witchcraft.
Hundreds have been arrested in connection with the vigilante revenge attacks. — NNN-AGENCIES