Burunga: a village mediator killed with a machete in Gikuzi amid witchcraft and tensions related to bereavement

SOS Médias Burundi

Nyanza, July 12, 2025 – A crime of unprecedented violence shook Gikuzi village, in Burunga province, on Friday, July 11. Donavine Nsavyimana, village mediator of the Gitabazi sub-village, was murdered with a machete in her own home, in a tense atmosphere involving accusations of witchcraft and conflict over a family bereavement.

According to witnesses and police sources, the incident occurred shortly after 11:00 a.m. in the former district of Vugizo, now integrated into Nyanza as part of the territorial reform. The alleged perpetrator, Boniface Nyandwi, originally from the neighboring Mahembe sub-village, allegedly entered the victim’s house before fatally stabbing her with a machete and then fleeing.

“Unfortunately, no one alerted the authorities in time, otherwise this tragedy could have been avoided,” laments a local police official.

Suspicions of instigation linked to bereavement

But beyond Boniface’s actions, several sources suggest a premeditated crime. The name of a teacher, Emmanuel Ndayirukiye, repeatedly comes up. He reportedly recently lost a child, whose funeral was scheduled for Saturday, July 12.

According to several testimonies collected by SOS Médias Burundi, the teacher publicly declared that he would not end his mourning as long as Donavine Nsavyimana was still alive. These chilling remarks, heard within the community, reinforce the theory of a planned revenge, fueled by mystical beliefs.

A climate of suspicion surrounding witchcraft

For over a year, the region has been plunged into a climate of widespread suspicion surrounding witchcraft. Residents report having called upon “depoisoners” from Tanzania for purification rituals.

These practices have triggered a wave of denunciations, community tensions, and sometimes violence. Village chiefs, civil servants, teachers, and even clergy have been accused of occult activities.

In this context, Donavine Nsavyimana, despite her reputation as a committed mediator, has reportedly been the target of persistent rumors associating her with supposed evil spells.

The crucial but risky role of village mediators

In Burundi, village mediators play a central role in the peaceful management of local conflicts, often related to land, family, or neighborhood disputes. Elected by the community, they work to foster dialogue and reconciliation.

But in a climate of heightened social mistrust, these mediators are sometimes perceived as influential, even threatening, figures, especially when they become involved in sensitive cases. This exposes them to real risks, as evidenced by Donavine’s assassination.

A call for calm and justice

The administration and security authorities of the Nyanza district are calling on the population to avoid rumors and acts of revenge.

“Justice must be served through legal channels, never through assassinations,” insisted a senior district official.

The police assure that they will continue their investigations to shed full light on those responsible in this case.

The alleged killer surrendered

On Saturday evening, Boniface Nyandwi finally surrendered himself to the local police. He was taken into custody. According to the authorities, the investigation is continuing to determine whether other people played a role in organizing or instigating this murder, which deeply shocked the community.