Makamba : a life sentence for the brutal murder of a village mediator in Gikuzi

SOS Médias Burundi

Makamba, July 24, 2025 – The Makamba First Instance Court in Burunga province delivered a highly anticipated verdict on Thursday in a murder case that deeply shocked the population of Gikuzi, Nyanza-Lac district. Two men have been sentenced, one to a life jail, the other to 10 years in prison, for the murder of Donavine Nsavyimana, a village mediator, on July 11.

In a closely watched public hearing, the court sentenced Oscar Nyandwi to life imprisonment for the murder of Donavine Nsavyimana, a respected figure in the village of Gikuzi, where she played a central role in resolving local conflicts. His accomplice, Emmanuel Ndayirukiye, received a 10-year prison sentence for his participation in this heinous crime.

The events date back to July 11, when the village mediator’s body was found lifeless in tragic circumstances. A swift investigation led to the arrest of the two men. During the hearing, Oscar Nyandwi admitted the facts, admitting to killing the victim in cold blood, while maintaining that he had not premeditated it. Emmanuel Ndayirukiye denied any involvement despite the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution.

The verdict was welcomed with relief by the victim’s family, residents of Gikuzi, and several human rights defenders present at the hearing. “This is a fair and necessary decision. It shows that the justice system is capable of being firm in the face of serious violence,” said a relative of the victim as he left the court.

The presiding judge reaffirmed the Burundian justice system’s commitment to fighting impunity. He also called on the population to collaborate more closely with the judicial authorities by reporting the perpetrators of violent crimes.

This judgment marks an important step in the fight against violence against women and in recognizing the essential role of local mediators in Burundi’s social fabric.