Kirinzi : a mother kills her 3-year-old child with a machete

SOS Médias Burundi

Mugina, July 21, 2025 — On the night of July 20, a devastating tragedy rocked Kirinzi village, in Mugina district, Bujumbura province (western Burundi). A three-year-old child was fatally injured with a machete by his own mother, in a context of psychological distress related to a recent marital breakdown.

Early Monday, July 21, residents were horrified to discover the mutilated body of 3-year-old Symphorien Ntimpirantije. His mother, Véronique Niyonzima, 20 years old, was quickly arrested by the police.

According to initial reports, the young woman had been experiencing a profound mental crisis since her separation from the child’s father two weeks earlier. Several relatives report that she had threatened to harm her son if her partner did not return to her.

During the night, the child’s cries alerted neighbors, who attempted to intervene without success. By the time emergency services arrived, it was already too late. The suspect remained silent during her initial interrogation.

The local administration went to the scene to coordinate Symphorien’s burial, which took place in the presence of authorities, community members, and local children’s rights organizations. The latter denounced this tragedy and called for firm and fair justice.

Call for better protection of vulnerable families

This tragedy rekindles the crucial issue of psychosocial support for mothers in distress and child protection, particularly in rural areas. The associations are calling for the establishment of community alert and prevention mechanisms.

A local child protection official stated :
“No child should die like this, especially not at the hands of their own mother.” He emphasized the importance of appropriate support to prevent psychological fragility from leading to tragic acts.

The judicial investigation is ongoing. The authorities promise to handle the case rigorously, taking into account the suspect’s mental state.