Gakenke-The District Advisory Council yesterday unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in Gakenke district Mayor, Epophrodite Mugemangango, and two vice Mayors; Winifred Nyirihirwe (in charge of social affairs) and Joseph Karekezi, the vice Mayor in charge of economic development

The extraordinary council composed of 28 members headed by Zephrin Ntakirutimana, revealed that the three leaders lost their jobs after the council assessed and evaluated their general performance

The council first summoned the Mayor and the vice Mayors to answer charges of weakness at work harbouring genocide ideology, before they were officially sacked

According to a report by the council, Mugemangango was accused of being behind genocide

ideology related incidences which occurred in the three sectors of Nemba, Janja and Muzo

The cases include speeches indicating that there was double genocide, keeping an unknown body which was found in Mataba and he instead kept it for a year in another sector, transferring teachers who were guilty of possessing genocide ideology and holding private meetings during last year’s genocide anniversary

He was also accused neglecting the district advisory council and lack of confidence in himself

While 25 council members voted to dismiss the vice mayor in charge of social affairs Winifred Nyirihirwe, 3 abstained. She was accused of not acting to stop the genocide ideology which has been rocking the district and failing in her duties; especially not promoting women and youth development activities, not following the activities of Mutuele de sante, and the construction of houses for genocide survivors

Joseph Karekezi failed to convince the council of his failure to present last year’s financial report, misusing district funds, dodging his responsibilities like not following the activities of NGOs working in the district and failing to implement the council’s resolutions

Having been voted into office in March 2006, the Mayor and his two deputies have all left the district which has been overshadowed by genocide ideologies among residents

The district Executive Secretary, Richard Mberabagabo, took over as interim Mayor.

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