By HELLEN TEMBO –
THE National Opposition Alliance (NOA) has condemned some opposition leaders for suggesting that the recent looting of shops belonging to foreigners  by some Zambians was as a result of economic hardships.
NOA spokesperson Danny Pule said it was wrong for some opposition leaders to suggest that the riotous behaviour by some residents in some townships in Lusaka last week was as a result of economic hardships.
Rev Pule said the violence had nothing to do with the hardships or the situation of the economy because Zambians were generally peaceful people.
“The rioting and the looting of foreigners’ shops were politically motivated. There are politicians taking advantage of the situation,” he said.
Rev Pule said the violence was because of some politicians who wanted to take advantage of the situation.
He said Zambians were known to be peaceful people and accommodating to foreigners.
Rev Pule said he was happy that President Edgar Lungu deployed the Zambia Army to patrol the affected areas.
Some residents in Lusaka’s Zingalume, George and Kanyama township rioted and looted shops in protest against six gruesome murders that had taken place in some parts of Lusaka.
They blamed foreigners of Rwandan origin to be behind the murders claiming that they were ritual killings.
Some opposition parties including the Rainbow party attributed the riots to hunger and frustration on the challenges the Zambian economy was facing.