Gitega : a man in detention for murder

Jean Bosco Ntakarutimana has been detained in a police cell in the political capital Gitega since November 5. He is suspected of murder. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The detainee was arrested by the police, assisted by members of the joint security committees, composed of the Imbonerakure (members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party) for the most part. His arrest took place in the locality of Muremera in the district of Giheta, in the province of Gitega (central Burundi).

Jean Bosco Ntakarutimana was apprehended after the disappearance of a man who was looking for a special variety of tree used in the protection of clay pots and vases, called “Imisuri”.

According to the local administration, Salvator Haberimana was killed and his body thrown into the river Ruvyironza.

Servilien Manirampa, a village chief in Muremera, claims that “the machete used by the victim, traces of blood and a small pile of Imisuri trees were found on the banks of the Ruvyironza”.

The incident was recorded on November 4, according to the administration.

Salvator Haberimana was a member of the Batwa tribe, a very small and marginalized tribe in Burundi. Several members of this community had gathered last week, with the aim of taking revenge. The police and the local administration organized peacemaking sessions to avoid clashes.