National

GISAGARA – A Genocide survivor has been found dead at her home in Rwanza Cell of Save Sector, Gisagara District. Sources said the old woman, who was in her 80s, was apparently stoned to death.

Her son-in-law, Denis Ntambara, 52, has been arrested and detained at Save police post in relation with the murder, Police said.

Police spokesperson Supt Theos Badege, said a “good number of in-laws and relatives” of the deceased have been called for questioning but later released. Investigations into the murder are still ongoing, he added.

The incident occurred Sunday night and the body of the deceased was found early on Monday lying in a pool of blood near her bathroom, according to eyewitness accounts.

Her head presented severe wounds, eyewitnesses said.

The woman has been identified as Isabelle Ryaziga and she is said to have been living alone in her house in Kigarama village. By press time, the body had been taken to the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) for post mortem.

Ntambara, who is the prime suspect in the incident, was released from jail in 2008 after pleading guilty for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

His criminal records also indicate that he had been jailed for several years for killing his uncle in 1984, Police said. It was reported at the time that he might have used rocks to kill his uncle.

By press time, it was not yet clear what the reason behind the murder was, but police said they suspected conflicts related to property ownership as the main cause.

Other sources, especially the association of genocide survivors (Avega), alluded to a case of Genocide ideology.

When The New Times visited the area on Monday, residents were still in shock over the murder. A security meeting was held in the area, with local leaders calling upon residents to help prevent criminal acts.

In an interview with this paper, the Ibuka representative in Gisagara District, Emmanuel Uwiringiyimana, said he was saddened by the murder. Ibuka is an umbrella organisation for Genocide Survivors association.

“It is sad for us,” he said.

“He called for a thorough investigation into the murder, saying the prime suspect might recently allegedly told the deceased that ‘a toad cannot live with a snake’-suggesting the murder might be a case of Genocide Ideology.

This murder shows that though some Genocide convicts have entered the plea, they did it just as a means of getting out of prison,” Uwiringiyimana said.