Foreign-owned shops in Lusaka remain shut

By Ann Zulu

FEAR and panic which recently swept through Lusaka’s George, Zingalume, and Chunga compounds has forced foreign-owned shops to remain shut after they were looted by angry and riotous mobs.

A survey by this reporter revealed that most of the shops were still shut forcing residents to seek services elsewhere.

Recently, residents in the three compounds went on rampage, looting foreign-owned shops following rumours that foreigners were involved in the ritual killings.

foreign-owned shop closed

But on Tuesday night, President Edgar Lungu ordered the security services which included the Zambia Army to restore law and order in some parts of Lusaka.

Foreigners, especially Rwandese who were the main target, charged that despite intensified security and police presence in the affected areas, they still felt insecure to live or do business. They feared that something worse could happen to them.

One Rwandese, Emmanuel Usabimana, of George compound whose shop was looted and had lived in Zambia for more than 20 years, described the accusations and attacks on foreigners as unfair. He said that most of them were innocent and there was no concrete evidence that Rwandese nationals were involved in the ritual killings.

Mr. Usabimana lamented that he had lost all the money and goods worth K160, 000.

“It is so unfair that people could easily judge us and loot our shops. Moreover, some of us are Zambians because we came here when we were young and have grown up from here. Zambia is our home. Where else do we go to if we are treated as outcasts?

“I am so nervous because I don’t know what might happen to me next. I have lost everything I have worked for and don’t know where to start from,” he said.

And some Zingalume residents noted that looting of shops had affected them negatively as they had nowhere to shop from and had to walk long distances to buy their groceries.

“The people who looted the shops were not Zingalume residents because we have lived in harmony with the Rwandese. Now all the shops are closed. We don’t have anywhere to buy groceries from,” they said.

According to the Zambia Police, 256 people had been arrested in connection with the looting of foreign-owned shops in Lusaka.