Editor,

Refer to the story "‘Ex-Habyarimana soldier risked his life to smuggle Tutsi to safety’ (The New Times, April 7).

Silas Ntamfura is definitely one of the heroes of this country. He defied the authorities to do what his heart and professionalism demanded of him: Saving innocent lives. That’s what true soldiers are trained to do.

A few Ntamfuras could have saved many more innocent people. Let us all remember our fallen compatriots, condemn their killers and all who looked away when they could have intervened, and recognise souls like Ntamfura.

Rugema

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I considered Mr. Ntamfura, one of my heroes, since I first saw him on Radio Télévision Nationale du Burundi in 1994 during the Genocide against the Tutsi with a group of people he had rescued from death.

I remember weeping like a baby, full of mixed emotions. I had been overcome by hatred towards the FAR, Interahamwe and the likes, wishing I had the power to exterminate all of them but Mr. Ntamfura gave me hope, when I had none for Rwanda, that the country that I had never seen—even if I considered it to be mine—will rise from the ashes.

He is one of the few Rwandan heroes who gave me the power to avoid falling into the ethnic hatred trap. Cheers to you, Ntamfura.

Dev