Kicukiro Primary Court on Wednesday, February 2, remanded Marie-Chantal Mukanzabarushimana for 30-days over her suspected role in the death of five-year-old Elsie Akeza Rutiyomba, who died by drowning. According to the judge, there was enough reason to suspect that Mukanzabarushimana was culpable which is why she should remain in custody, pending further investigations. During the initial court appearence that took place on January 27 , Mukanzabarushimana denied any involvement arguing that when the child was killed, she was in a hospital and has proof to that effect. Akeza was found dead on January 14, after drowning in the water tank at the home the suspect shared with the deceased’s father and her husband, Florian Rutiyomba in Busanza Cell, Kanombe Sector in Kicukiro District. The judge said that the court analysed the merits of the preliminary evidence presented by prosecution and found that there were serious grounds to suspect Mukanzabarushimana committed the crime. Responding to reasons advanced by the suspect that she was sick and had a young child to take care of, the judge said that the prison has doctors to take care of her and they have people to take care of babies in prisons. The prosecution had previously requested for her remand, saying that there was a likelihood that she may escape if granted bail. According to the prosecution, they have evidence that the suspect planned the murder of Akeza. There is also testimony from the house help who said that the suspect continuously sent her out of the home, creating an impression that she could have wanted to be alone to be able to commit the crime. The house help, Dative Nirere, was initially a co-suspect but eventually, prosecution seems to have lost interest in her because by the time she was arraigned, Mukanzabarushimana was produced alone. Mukanzabarushimana was arrested on January 15, and she will remain in custody for 30 days as further investigations are being carried out and have five days to appeal against the remand decision.
