Cibitoke : a sixty-year-old brutally killed in Mabayi

A tragedy occurred during the night of January 24-25 in the district of Mabayi, located in the province of Cibitoke, in northwest Burundi. Berchmans Sinzobakwira, aged 64 and father of 10 children, was brutally murdered with machetes by a group of hooded men armed with bladed weapons. This murder took place in the Nyarusebeyi sub-village, part of the Muhungu village.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to testimonies collected from the family and residents, the attack took place around 11 p.m. The attackers entered the victim’s home before committing their crime. The body of Berchmans Sinzobakwira, decapitated, was found the following morning. Death threats were reportedly made against him in the days preceding the incident, due to accusations of witchcraft made against him.

However, other information gathered on the spot suggests that this tragedy could be linked to land conflicts, a recurring problem in the region. Berchmans Sinzobakwira was not only the patriarch of a large family, but also the grandfather of several grandchildren.

Reactions

The victim’s family is calling on relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations so that those responsible are brought to justice. Relatives and local residents are also demanding that measures be taken to prevent such acts in the future.

Faced with the growing indignation of the residents, the district administrator of Mabayi, Jeanne Izomporera, has called on the population not to take justice into their own hands. She confirmed that the investigations already underway have led to the arrest of four suspects : Nicodème Nzoyisaba, Sylvère Nzohabonimana, Isaac Ngendakumana and Patrice Sibomana. According to a security source, traces of blood were found on the clothes of those arrested.

This tragic murder highlights the need to strengthen local justice to stem acts of violence motivated by prejudice or conflict. While investigations continue, the authorities are called upon to act quickly to prevent the situation from escalating.

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The town center of the Mabayi district (SOS Médias Burundi)