Muhoza Primary Court Wednesday remanded Augustin Ndabereye, the former Musanze District vice mayor in charge of Economic Development, for 30 days. Ndabereye faces charges related to assault and battery on his wife, which took place during the night of August 29 this year at the couple’s home in Musanze. Reading the bail ruling, Judge John Kazungu said that after carefully examining the case, court strongly believes that the suspect could have committed the charges and that he might tamper with the evidence if granted bail. “Ndabereye must be remanded for 30 days in a legal prison for him to not interfere (with) evidence that is being gathered,” he said. Ndabereye was not in the court as justice Kazungu made the bail ruling. Ndabereye’s lawyer Donath Habimana had on Tuesday presented a written letter in which the victim asked the Judge to pardon her husband. Ndabereye had appeared in court on Tuesday and charges were read to him. Ndabereye admitted to having assaulted his wife, but said that it was the first time he had done so, which is contrary to prosecution’s submission that he had done it several times. Ndabereye together with Jean-Damascene Habyarimana, the former Mayor of Musanze District and Marie Claire Uwamariya the vice mayor in charge of social affairs were recently fired over “gross misconduct” among other offences. Ndabereye will be back in court after 30 days.
