Gitega : a man found stabbed in a river, another seriously beaten and abandoned in a wood

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, September 3, 2026 — Two separate cases of violence were reported in the space of two days in Gitega province, in central Burundi. A 60-year-old man was found dead in a river after reportedly being stabbed, while another man, aged 38 years, was discovered seriously injured in a eucalyptus grove. Several suspects have been questioned as part of the investigations.

A man found dead in river

The body of Marc Nzikobanyanka, 60 years, was discovered Wednesday morning in the Kanyangwa River, which separates the villages of Gishubi and Murangara, in the district of Gishubi.

According to evidence collected at the scene, the man was allegedly stabbed before his body was thrown into the river. The exact circumstances of the drama and its motive remain unknown.

Annick Ngezumugongo, the chief of Gishubi village, confirmed the discovery of the body and indicated that the reasons for the murder are yet to be established.

A few days before his death, Marc Nzikobanyanka had withdrawn three million Burundian francs from a local mutual fund. This amount came from the sale of his coffee at a washing station of the Burundi Coffee Development Authority (ODECA).

The trail of a theft linked to this money could not, however, be confirmed at this stage.

Two persons, Jean Bosco Ndayishimiye and Levis Nimbona, were arrested as part of the investigation. They were then taken to a police hideout for investigation purposes.

Another man found seriously injured

A second case was reported Thursday morning in the district of Gitega.

Claude Nahimana, 38 years old, was found in a comatose state, packed in bags and abandoned in a eucalyptus grove in Mubuga village.

Emmanuel Misigaro, the chief of the village, said the victim had been severely beaten before being abandoned on the spot.

The exact circumstances of the attack remain to be determined. According to the local official, a land dispute would currently be the main track considered, without it being officially established.

In this second case, Clovis Ntahimpera, introduced as the brother of the victim, and Joël Nizigiyimana were arrested. They were taken to a police hideout for investigation purposes.

Claude Nahimana’s health was worrying at the time of his discovery.

More than 90 dead or people found dead since the beginning of the year

These two new cases come in a province where homicides and discoveries of bodies have surged since the beginning of the year.

According to a count established by our editorial staff, more than 90 people have been killed or found dead in the province of Gitega since January 2026. This count brings together cases reported by different sources and does not mean that all the circumstances of these deaths have been established.

Our editorial staff had notably reported that a dozen people had died or had been found lifeless in the space of a dozen days in different localities of the province of Gitega, last August.

Human rights groups also warn of increased violence and discoveries of bodies in the country. They call for thorough investigations to establish the exact circumstances of the deaths, identify the alleged perpetrators and fight impunity.

In Gitega, the two cases reported this week thus come to add to a string of cases that continue to fuel security concerns and violence in the province.

Investigators will determine the exact circumstances of the two cases and establish liability. The defendants remain presumed innocent until a possible final judicial decision.