Zambia’s First Lady Esther Lungu broke down in tears and fell to her knees as she begged for an end to a wave of shadowy gas attacks that have mushroomed across the country. Police have been unable to apprehend those who have been targeting homes and schools by spraying victims with a gas that leaves them unconscious. It is unclear what gas is being used in the incidents.

Mrs Lungu was filmed yesterday telling a group of women, “I’m making an earnest appeal to the people that are behind this gassing – to an extent of gassing innocent schoolchildren, innocent families. It is indeed a shame.” She then broke down in tears.

Meanwhile, her husband, Zambian President Edgar Lungu, says those accusing government of gassing citizens deserve time in a mental asylum. Lungu has expressed disenchantment that some politicians are blaming government of gassing its own citizens in order to bring about confusion in the country.

Various parts of Zambia have over the last two months been struggling with the strange gas attacks by unknown perpetrators. A suspect, who had been interrogated on video said the attackers wanted to draw blood in syringes from those who had passed out, which many suspect would be used in witchcraft.

Last week President Edgar Lungu offered a bounty of $17,000 for information leading to the arrest of offenders. However, The Times of Zambia reports 18 people suspected to be linked to the attacks were killed at the weekend by mob justice in different parts of the country. Two people suspected of being involved were burnt to death.

Umm Muhammed Umar 19.02.2020