Theodore Simburudali, the President of IBUKA, the umbrella body of Genocide survivors association, Tuesday, strongly condemned the killing of two genocide survivors in the Southern Province.

The victims, Francois Gasirabo and Jeannette Nyirabaganwa, both residents of Huye District, were reportedly murdered on March 22 in the Southern Province and their bodies were dumped in River Nyabarongo. They were recovered near Kigali.

Simburudali told members of the press there was evidence that the two were killed by people they possibly exposed before Gacaca courts or their relatives, for participating in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis.

He added that to cover up the cause of the killings, the suspected murderers started circulating rumours that the two were killed because of business rivalry.

During the Genocide, Tutsis were killed and dumped in the river that pours into River Akagera and Lake Victoria so they could flow back to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) where they allegedly came from.

The IBUKA President said that the act was unfortunate especially at a time when the Genocide Commemoration Week is approaching, noting that more cases of stigma and trauma directed towards genocide survivors are being registered.

Police Spokesperson John Uwamungu said that police are still investigating the murder and a search for the culprits has been mounted.

He however refused to give further information about any progress in the search saying it would jeopardise investigations.

Uwamungu also noted that another case of attacks directed towards genocide survivors is being investigated but could not give further details.

Meanwhile, Simburudali said that IBUKA and other organisations like AVEGA (Genocide Widow’s Association) and the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) are working with the police and other authorities to ensure that the attacks on the survivors, which are expected to increase ahead of the commemoration, are quelled.

Gasirabo and Nyirabaganwa were buried on March 28 and 30 respectively.   

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