Burundi : a 12-year-old girl brutally murdered in Matana

SOS Médias Burundi

Matana, January 29, 2026 – The lifeless body of a 12-year-old girl was discovered on Wednesday in the bush in Mutobo village, in Matana district, Burunga province (southern Burundi). According to the police, the victim was raped before being killed with machetes. The main suspect, a close relative, has been arrested and detained.

A crime of extreme violence

The girl was last seen on Tuesday, January 27, when she went to collect firewood. Her body was found in the bush in Mutobo village, in the Kibezi zone. According to the judicial police, she was attacked and then decapitated. The brutality of this crime has deeply shocked the local population.

A close relative implicated

According to authorities, the alleged perpetrator is the man responsible for the child’s care, described as the child’s shepherd. He reportedly confessed during questioning. The suspect has been remanded in custody at the Matana police station pending further legal proceedings.

A worrying security situation

These events come just days after the arrest of a police officer accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in Vyuya village, also in the Matana district. These repeated incidents raise serious concerns about the safety and protection of minors in the region.

Call for exemplary justice

The victim’s parents, residents, and child rights defenders are demanding that justice be served with the utmost firmness. They urge the judicial authorities to impose exemplary sentences to prevent any recurrence. Judicial officials in Matana confirm that investigations are underway to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are fully brought to justice.