Kirundo: death threats against those who oppose forced contributions in Ntega commune

Residents of the Murungurira zone, Ntega commune, who have not agreed to pay the contribution demanded by the commune administrator and the communal secretary of the CNDD-FDD party are all threatened with death. The order is linked to a visit by the provincial secretary of the presidential party to the area. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

This contribution was either in kind or in money.

“We were required to give a contribution in kind or in money. At least two kilos of beans or rice or three kilos of corn. For money, residents must give at least two thousand francs for the destitute, others gave more”, reported a head of household who said he gave in spite of himself.

According to the municipal administrator Jean Pierre Mbanzabugabo, these contributions were intended to receive the new provincial secretary of Butanyerera, who was to visit this commune in the end of February.

A blacklist for the recalcitrant

All households that had to contribute were on a list. The grassroot administrative officials, the hill chiefs of the Murungurira zone, the hill deputy chiefs as well as the officials of the ruling party at the hill level were responsible for these collections.

“A household that did not give anything was noted somewhere. Threats were made by these officials, calling those who disobeyed opponents, swearing that they would deal with their case (tuzobakorerako),” disclosed a resident.

“We were even told that it will be difficult for us to obtain administrative papers if these contributions are not given,” insists one person concerned.

What is surprising, according to him, is that until today those who have not contributed are still ordered to pay to those responsible for collection. They are told they are on a blacklist.

The most targeted are CNL party activists

Sources in the Murungurira zone, one of the areas with a large number of activists of the opposition CNL party, report that all the households of activists of this party are on the famous list.

“The activists of the CNL party are the most targeted. It seems that they were all aware not to contribute,” our sources revealed.

Our sources in Ntega commune report a behind-the-scenes tension between CNDD-FDD activists, especially between the Imbonerakure (members of the ruling party’s youth league) and the young people of the CNL party, the main political opposition in the small East African nation.