Zambians loot and harass Congolese traders

Traders at Lusaka’s Soweto Market on Saturday morning looted goods and roughed up some Congolese traders selling in the market.

The traders were reacting to the burning to death of a Zambian truck driver by Congolese at the Kasumbalesa boader post on the Congolese side on Thursday.

The traders destroyed goods worthy millions of Kwacha belonging to Congolese traders.

One of the affected traders Mary Kabaso has told ZNBC news that she is not from Congo but is a trader who buys her products from Kasumbalesa on the Copperbelt.

The traders say it is unfair that an innocent man was killed in such a manner because of an accident which was not deliberate.

And one of the Congolese gentlemen believed to be in his 30s was assaulted using a bottle and beaten in Lusaka over the truck driver incident.

On Friday, Vice President Guy Scott said government will engage the Democratic Republic of Congo to address the increase in violence along the border post area.

Meanwhile, Congolese Police have already arrested some Congolese villagers who were allegedly involved in the burning of the Zambian truck driver in that Country on Thursday.

Home Affairs minister Kennedy Sakani has confirmed that authorities in Congo have assured him that they have arrested the villagers who were involved in the mob justice.

Mr. Sakeni says Congolese authorities have assured Zambia that all the culprits who were involved in the burning of the Zambian drivers will be brought to book.

And Mr. Sakeni has appealed to Zambians not to take the law in their own hands and stop violence against innocent Congolese nationals living in Zambia.

Mr Sakeni said it is unfortunate that some elements are taking advantage of the situation to steal and attack innocent Congolese citizens instead of allowing the law to take its course.

The Minister has since directed the police to be on alert and arrest anyone who will be involved in xenophobic violence against Congolese.

He says the traders who were this morning attacked at Soweto market are innocent and should not be harassed because of one unfortunate accident which is regretted by both the Zambian and Congolese governments.

ZNBC