3 killed in protests

Three people were yesterday burnt to death following riots which erupted in various parts of Lusaka. The three were suspected to be ritual killers.

RESIDENTS of Chaisa, Mandevu, Kanyama and Chawama among other places in Lusaka took to the streets protesting against alleged cases of gassing and purported ritual killings as police fought running battles to contain the situation yesterday morning.

Three men were reportedly killed and remains burnt by the protesting mob in different localities.

The irate residents took to the streets burning tyres and blocking Great North road at Mandevu traffic circle disturbing the early morning flow of traffic on Great Road.

According to witnesses at the scene, the riots started around 04:00 hours after word went round that two people suspected to be involved in gassing households had b “The men were caught gassing in Chaisa Township. They gassed two houses and the people affected were rushed to Chipata Level 1 clinic,” a resident said.

And violent protests also broke out in Kanyama and Chawama townships under similar claims as police quickly moved in to contain the situation as residents continued demanding that police release suspects to the mob reportedly apprehended for gassing incidents.

And three people were killed by a mob in separate incidents on suspicion of being behind the spraying of households.

Zambia police spokesperson Esther Katongo said that an unidentified man of Kanyama Compound was yesterday attacked and killed by a mob and the irate residents blocked some roads in the area.