FDD leader Edith Nawakwi has added her voice to the condemnation of xenophobic attacks perpetrated on Rwandan Nationals in Lusaka.
Speaking in an interview Ms Nawakwi said the looting and damaging of property is senseless and serious criminal act that deserves punishment.
She said the acts do not depict the true spirit of the people of Zambia as Zambians are naturally generous and hospitable people who do not want a bunch of misguided and unruly people to dent their reputation.
“We condemn the Xenophobic attacks perpetrated against the Rwandan nationals. The looting and damaging of property is senseless and a serious criminal act that deserves punishment. These riots and violent acts do not depict the true spirit of who we are as a people: Zambians are naturally generous and hospitable people and we do not want a bunch of misguided and unruly people to dirten our good national image out of their riotous conduct.
“We urge the police to work closely with local community leaders to restrain thugs who are taking advantage of ritual murders to loot, steal and damage innocent people’s property. These xenophobic attacks if not curtailed will damage our country’s international reputation and scare investors from investing in Zambia,” she said.
She called on the Police and other law enforcement agencies to quickly bring to book the ritual killers saying depression and poverty have contributed to the unprecedented events of the last 24 hours.
“The police and all other law enforcement agencies should note that our people’s anxiety over these suspected ritual killing is running out of hand. Therefore, there is need for our men and women in uniform to up their game and ensure that these killers are captured and justice is meted on them. In a country of hungry people, anger is always at its pick and if nothing is done, then what seems to be sporadic attacks and skirmishes can soon degenerate into full blown anarchy. People are hungry and angry. They are depressed and are dying under the yoke of poverty and destitution and therefore tempers are really high. This is a very sensitive matter that poses a serious national security threat.
“We want to plead with all well meaning citizens to be vigil and refuse to be used in attacking others. Let us guard this peace very jealously. We only have one Zambia. Let us all co-operative with the police and help them maintain law and order,” she said.
And SACCORD has called on Zambians not to vent their frustrations on the lack of progress in arresting ritual killer on innocent individuals regardless of their nationality.
Commenting the spat of xenophobic attacks which were experienced in Lusaka yesterday, SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said it is understandable that people are frustrated with the lack of progress regarding the ritual killings that has hit the capital city but that attacking innocent people will not resolve the problem.
Mr Cheembe called for restraint on the part of the public saying instead of causing more problems for the law enforcers the public should be working hand in hand so as to helping them find and arrest the perpetrators of the heinous crimes.
He said the public should ensure that their communities are safe and that it will not happen by destroying and vandalising both private and public property.
He said destroying private and public property will not stop the ritual killings but has the potential of escalating the crime challenges in Compounds adding that destroying property will only end up destroying public good such as Police Stations which are supposed to help in deterring would be offenders.
He further added that Zambians should not look at the whole issue as that of being Zambian against foreigner as the country will only end up losing its well deserved name of being a peace loving country in the region.
He said the riots have the potential of earning the country the undeserved name of being one of the countries practicing xenophobia something he said would put a dent on the country’s international standing.
lets stand against xenophobia and lets unite to change he corrupt goverment of chagwa lungu
Lungu’s silence on this is deafening
Where is our President? Should things get worse than this before he gives it his personal attention?
@ Politiko..You mean you dont know that ECL is drunk at the moment, wait until Sunday maybe…The guy is such an !diot for a president…Although some Zambians are really useful !diots, I guess they have learnt one thing or two about the importance of objective voting this fall
As at yesterday. Lungu was busy campaigning in Chipata and together with minister were busy bashing HH.
In other words he is only thinking about retaining power, and not about Leading the country.
People should turn their anger against the PF for looting Zambia s wealth and ignoring peoples grievances.
Xenophobia is the latest too PF is using to instill fear in some foreigners for not openly suporting it. Could it be Kagame s ploy to cause all Rwandese to return to Rwanda for persecution? Remember it was during PF s reign that Rwandese refuges started being persecuted when Lungu was home affairs minister.
Xenophobia should be condemned in the strongest terms. Where is Lungu?
I think these murders are being committed by the huge number of criminal Lungu released onto our streets when he knows that our police is useless but good at persecuting political opponents.
Chagwa must fall.
Rainman, please do not insult like this. What have you benefited by calling others *****s? God bless you.
@Jason, I agree with you. @Rainman, foul language is unbecoming.
But the question still remains – Where is the President? It is in such situation where Leadership is needed. A feeble attempt of a statement by Minister of Home Affairs is not enough.
Lungu take charge now
If Lungu takes the people of Zambia for granted, then let him think again. We condemn the xenophobic attacks on innocent people. Let this anger be channeled towards the greedy politicians who are looting the wealth of the country.
Are zambians in Rwanda safe?
“anger is always at its pick and if nothing is done” . Very bad journalism. It is at its peak not pick. Lets all condemn these barbaric acts of violence.
Okay sting mouths insulting on this, is He not the one who first revealed to the public about the 4 suspect? But also where is this witch satanist HH not condemning, if it was cadres fight Lungu has failed to run the country now it is pure ritual killings & sacrifice accidents by his fellow satanist running buses he can’t comment why HH, simple he is amongst the big fishs in this issues, wait & see some big satanas will be exposed shortly by God. And you nawakwi no brains are not one of those that had a daughter killed brutally and put into a drainage? Didn’t feel so hurt or is it that she was not your blood child? You suport the foreigners because as at now non of your relative has been killed, just shut up if you don’t have material comment on this issue. Period
SINKAMBA WISDOM – These riots are as a result of poverty and hunger stocking many Zambian families in the affected areas. The government must up food and employment programs for avoidance of such negative reactions. Yes we sorrow together with those families that have lost their beloved ones through ritual killings. But my heart breeds when I see that we are trying to direct our revenge on innocent people who have spent sleepless nights to acquire what they have owned to day. Please. sober up and direct your annoyance on Zambia Police who have failed to act in time. I had hoped that our Police Officers had done their risk assessments when these ritual murders commenced increasing in large numbers. But it has taken to long for them to arrest the killers which is very unfortunate.
This is the result when leaders disregard to enforce the law and injustice becames the order of the day in the country. God in heaven does not sleep, neither does he allow evil doers to go unpunished. Leaders want to cling to power using crime & fraud, God csn make this country ungovernable. You sow wind, you shall reap wheelwind.
@WaNZELu ! WE need those hutus so that they can be killed here in RWANDA.or you Zambians can kill them as soon as possible
Zambians vote for a sober leader. The presidence is a serious job. Even Nawakwi as a woman does better than the so called ECL. Really he has posted something on his facebook page and his post is so childish. He seems to be politicking under such serious crimes in the country. For Lundu nothing is more serious than retaining power in August. If you people vote for the PF in August blame yourselves and indeed as Sata used to say Cry for yourselves.
Leadership is so important in a country. where there is no leadership there is always chaos and people perish. It is difficult to describe Lungu thats why people end up insulting him.
NOTED WITH THANKS WILL VOTE FOR HIM COME RAIN OR SUN SHINE ONE EDGAR
Zambians vote for a sober leader. The presidence is a serious job. Even Nawakwi as a woman does better than the so called ECL. Really he has posted something on his facebook page and his post is so childish. He seems to be politicking under such serious crimes in the country. For Lundu nothing is more serious than retaining power in August. If you people vote for the PF in August blame yourselves and indeed as Sata used to say Cry for yourselves.
Leadership is so important in a country. where there is no leadership there is always chaos and people perish. It is difficult to describe Lungu’s lack of leadership, incompetence and lack of care thats why people end up just insulting him.
Some parties kwena! They create and fan riots and then turn around to put the blame on Edgar Lungu.
Sorry guys we are to smart to be misled by useless party cadres and their selfish and inhuman leaders.
Thank you mama Nawakwi for your wise comments and mature counsel. It is gratifying to note that your party is non-violent unlike others who will do anything under the sun including xenophobia to get into State House.
So, you have information. Share it with the police.
Effects of these attacks , and damaging of Rawandese’s shops , loss of jobs on the Zambian ‘s employed , Loss of revenue , loss of investor confidence on Zambia. .
Comment: sure wat do u get from insulting ur leader???any akafumbe ukunona ************!Let’s learn to respect pipo.