Man killed over bottle of local brew

KARONGI - Two men in Karongi District are in custody over the alleged murder of their 38-year old companion, following a brawl over local brew. Police identified the suspects as Karoli Rwamihigo and Elizafari Ntawiragira.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

KARONGI - Two men in Karongi District are in custody over the alleged murder of their 38-year old companion, following a brawl over local brew.

Police identified the suspects as Karoli Rwamihigo and Elizafari Ntawiragira.

The incident occurred last Saturday in Rugabano Sector after a disagreement over a bottle of local brew commonly known as urwagwa.

An eyewitness told The New Times Tuesday that the deceased, Simon Ntirivamunda, requested Rwamihigo to share with him the brew but the latter declined, which immediately sparked the deadly tussle.

"A disgruntled Rwamihigo fought back by hitting Ntirivamunda with a bottle directly on the head and he collapsed immediately,” an eyewitness, who identified himself only as Nsenga, said.

During a police interrogation yesterday, Karoli confessed to killing his friend, arguing that it was not deliberate.

"I did not intend to kill him. I was trying to prevent him from encroaching on my drink,” Rwamihigo, who was still dressed in blood stained clothes told prosecutors.

Eyewitnesses claimed that Ntawiragira was not directly involved in the fight though he failed to intervene to save the situation.

sam.nkurunziza@newtimes.co.rw