By KASONDE KASONDE and REBECCA MUSHOTA –

A MAN has been murdered in Zingalume Township of Lusaka by unknown people who also mutilated his body by cutting off his ears, heart and private parts, in a ritualistic style.
The mutilated body of Amon Sichamba, 21, was found yesterday morning by members of the public.
However the body parts were discovered last evening in Lilanda Township, after police were alerted by an unknown person, who dialed the emergency line.
The body parts were found wrapped in a black plastic bag, but no suspects had been apprehended so far.
Three weeks ago, four men were found dead in George Township with missing ears and private parts.
Since then, police deployed recruits to patrol various townships to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
The death of Mr Sichamba yesterday angered Zingalume residents who rioted when police went to pick up the body.
The residents took to the streets, blocking traffic and throwing stones accusing the officers of failing to protect them.
Paul Nkonde, who spoke on behalf of the residents, said the township had become dangerous and people feared for their lives as it was barely three weeks that the four people were brutally murdered in the area.
“We want to appeal to the Inspector General of Police to send more officers to the area to search our homes for dangerous weapons like pagans and drugs, if sanity is to return like what happened in Chibolya Township,” Mr Nkonde said.
Police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said Police picked up Mr Sichamba’s body around 09:00 hours.
He appealed to residents of George and Zingalume townships and the public in general to remain calm, as police were doing everything possible to arrest the criminals.
Mr Hamoonga appealed to the residents who had any information on the murders to inform police and assured the informers of confidentiality.
He said Police had earlier also picked up another body in George Township, whose death was not in any way connected to the suspected ritual killings.
The second body was identified as that of Mwango Chanda, 30, a mental patient who was found dead in a sitting position in a yard.
Meanwhile, Police on Wednesday night around 23:00 hours picked up a group of 16 people
comprising 12 men and four females from the Lusaka show grounds who were having a mid-week party.
The 16 have been charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
However, the pictures of the 16 went viral with people on social media claiming that they were arrested for participating in a sex orgy.
Mr Hamoonga refuted the claims saying that the 16 were nabbed for partying and they had all paid admission of guilt fee and released.