1 dies in suspected ritual killing in northern Zambia

Authorities in Zambia's Mansa district north of the country on Friday picked another body of a man killed with missing body parts in another suspected ritual killing.

Ritual killings have hit Lusaka, the country's capital over the past weeks with seven people killed so far who were found with missing body parts such as heart, private parts and ears.

The killings resulted in xenophobic attacks on shops owned by foreigners early this week, mostly from Rwanda, on suspicion that the owners were behind the killings and using the boy part to enhance their businesses.

Over 60 shops were destroyed while over 250 people were arrested in connection with the looting which happened on Monday and Tuesday.

The authorities have since arrested 11 suspects in connection with the ritual killings.

Police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said police picked up the body of an unidentified man aged between 30 and 35 years in the early hours of Friday who had two deep cuts in the head and private part removed.

The police have since instituted investigations into the latest killing and have appealed to residents to remain calm and allow the law enforcement officers to investigate the matter and bring to book the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

"In relation to this incident, police patrols have been intensified in the area to avoid a repeat of what happened in Lusaka. We are still appealing to members of the public with information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators to report to the nearest police station," she said.

Source: XINHUA