Rumonge : two journalists humiliated by Imbonerakure

On Saturday afternoon, journalists Gaspard Ndikumazambo and Timothée Ntaconayigize, from the Izere FM community radio, were manhandled by Imbonerakure (young people affiliated with the CNDD-FDD party). Our colleagues were victims of having taken photos of a scene of arrest of an alleged phone thief by Imbonerakure. Both journalists filed a complaint. Local police consider it inconceivable that civilians would arrest people. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Both journalists returned from their workplace around 4 p.m. on Saturday. Gaspard Ndikumazambo and Timothée Ntaconayigize work for Izere Fm radio based in the town center of Rumonge province (southwest Burundi).

“Arriving at the Rumonge hospital (on the Rumonge-Buyengero road), they saw young Imbonerakure escorting an arrested person,” indicates a witness to the scene of the arrest of this alleged phone thief.

And added, “the two journalists tried to find out what was happening. One of them took photos.”

The Imbonerakure who escorted the alleged thief mishandled these two journalists. Our colleagues were forced to delete the photos taken, to no avail.

“The Imbonerakure had tied up the man, shirtless,” testify residents of the town of Rumonge.

The two journalists pursued the Imbonerakure from the Gihwanya neighborhood (same town) to the provincial police station.

Summons were issued against these young people, according to a police source who believes that “the arrest of people is not the responsibility of civilians”.

“People need to know that a journalist has the right to information at any time,” said one of the local journalists.

The journalists were saved by the police who intervened to recover the alleged thief.

According to the Rumonge police, the attackers were identified and summoned for this Monday.

“We presented our press cards issued by the CNC (National Communication Council) but the sequestration continued,” laments one of the journalists concerned.

Our colleagues left the Rumonge police station around 6 p.m. after filing a complaint against the attackers.