Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has arrested Jean-Nepomuscene Bakundinka over the murder of a man identified as Diogene Ntawuhigimana, which occurred on July 26, 2016. Bakundinka, 55, reportedly killed his victim, then 32, four years ago, decapitated him and stuffed his body in a sack and buried him in a hole at his house in Kageyo Sector, Gatsibo District, Northern Province. The suspect, now held at a RIB Post in Gatsibo, was apprehended on Thursday, October 8, after a four-year investigation, according to RIB Spokesperson, Thierry Murangira. Murangira said that Bakundinka had never been flagged among primary suspects because of the great effort he put in concealing evidence. “Bakundinka had threatened to kill the only witness, his son who is a minor, if he spoke against him,” Murangira told The New Times. “The child was afraid then but as he grew up, he understood that he should come out.” The suspect’s motives to commit the murder remain unclear as investigations are undergoing. According to Murangira, the victim’s body will be subjected to a DNA test in order to confirm his identity while the suspect’s case is being processed to be submitted to prosecution. If the suspect is proven guilty of premeditated homicide, he faces life imprisonment, as prescribed under article 107 of the 2018 penal code. On this note, RIB reminded the general public that there are no circumstances that could prevent criminal justice to be served. “No one should think that they will commit a crime and get away with it, that it won’t be discovered. The truth will always be known no matter what and the perpetrator will always be charged with their crimes,” Murangira said.
