Xenophobia: Students Protest in Zambia, Attack South African-owned Businesses, Embassy … President Lungu Calls for Calm

Ololade Adeyanju/

Students of the University of Zambia (UNZA) in their hundreds took to the street of Lusaka and other major cities today to protest the xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

The students, who carried different African flags, marched to some high end shopping malls in the capital city, including Manda Hill and East Park, to register their displeasure.

They reportedly set ablaze the South African High Commission building in Lusaka.

The protesting students also attacked some businesses perceived to be owned by South Africans, including a Shoprite Mall at Manda Hill.

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Although, there were no reports of looting but the situation forced all the stores in Manda Hill to hurriedly lock up.

There were also reports that trucks bringing goods from South Africa to Zambia were attacked by mobs at the border between the two countries and prevented from passing through.

Zambians had earlier cancelled a friendly football match between their national football team, the Chipolopolo and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Zambian President, Dr. Edgar Lungu, has however appealed for calm among the students via a tweet on his verified handle, @EdgarCLungu.

The President wrote: “I call on Zambians both locally and abroad to remain calm and disengage from acts of violence as they voice out their grievances. There must never come a time when hatred among Africans should appear to be normal. Those preaching hate must stop. Let us pray for peace and unity.”

The President later issued a formal statement to outline the efforts his administration was making to address the situation.

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