WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — The police in Kamembe, Rusizi district have arrested over 100 residents for allegedly holding an illegal assembly.

The group had reportedly gathered in Karangiro community settlement in Mont Cyangugu cell.

The police said the 112 residents were mainly women between 25 to 35 years. They were arrested in a security operation mounted by army and police authorities at around midnight on Tuesday after they were found to be holding ‘night prayers’ in Christine Furaha’s house.

By law night prayers are not allowed beyond 8pm in that area.

A police source said they were tipped off by one resident.
"We arrested them after being alerted. They claimed to be attending night prayers but for us as security authorities we suspected they had another hidden plan,” the police said.

"How could such a big number of people attend night prayers at some one’s home instead of going to church, moreover at midnight beyond the stipulated time,” he wondered.

The police said the mood in which they were found warranted their arrest.

"You can imagine we found them talking in low voices and yet Christians always pray in louder voices. So we suspect they were in a confidential meeting with a sinister motive.

They would be released after telling us the truth of their real intentions,” the police added.

However, Furaha, the one who had hosted the prayers insisted that they were holding night prayers. Furaha subscribes to ADEPR Church in Gihundwe Sector.

"Honestly speaking we had no any other mission as police and army officials say but we were just in night prayers. It was not the first time to hold night prayers at my home.

We have been praying for all sorts of patients and all residents in the area but the only mistake that we did and of which we ask for forgiveness was to exceed the usual time of 10pm,” Furaha said.

Furaha also explained that they have a letter from ADEPR church authorising them to pray at her home. The letter was reportedly signed by area local authorities.

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