Gitega : a man killed by lynching after an accusation of theft, three people arrested

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, April 19, 2026 —A lifeless body was discovered on Friday, April 17, 2026 in Ngundu village, in Gitega district and Province, in central Burundi. The victim, identified as Déo Ndarufatiye, had several visible injuries on his body, according to local sources.

According to a witness, the man was violently taken apart by residents after being caught committing a robbery at the house of a certain Léonidas Ngendakumana. He was then allegedly beaten to death with clubs by members of the public.

The information was confirmed by the Ngundu village chief, Godeberthe Nzeyimana, who specified that the victim was buried on the same day, after the finding made by a judicial police officer (OPJ).

As part of the investigation, three people were arrested. They include Léonidas Ngendakumana, Aimable Tuyisabe and Émelyne Nsengiyumva. They were taken to police cells in Makebuko for investigative purposes.

Local authorities indicate that investigations are ongoing to establish responsibility in this case of popular justice, which raises live concerns within the population.

Gitega province is among the areas regularly affected by similar cases of violence in the small East African nation. According to a count by SOS Médias Burundi, about forty bodies have been found since the beginning of the year.