SOUTHERN PROVINCE

NYANZA — The Police are following a number of leads to the possible cause of death of two Genocide survivors whose bodies were retrieved from river Nyabarongo March 24, the Provincial Police Commander has said.

The victims, Francois Gasirabo and Jeannette Nyirabaganwa, both residents of Maraba in Huye District, went missing on Saturday March 22 from their homes. They were later found dead in Nyabarongo River.

"We have established that the two left their homes, bought taxi tickets at one of the transport agencies in Butare and were bound for Karongi. They are believed to have visited a certain home in Karongi that very night. The head of this home has since disappeared,” said Chief Superintendant Faustin Ntirushwa.

"The search for this suspect is on. Once arrested, we believe that he will be able to give us vital information about the motive of the victim’s visit and where they went thereafter.”

One of the victims, Jeannette Nyirabaganwa was a member of Gacaca court and also a member of the association of Genocide Widows (AVEGA) in the area.

The Provincial Governor Fidele Ndayisaba in an interview with The New Times expressed his sympathy for the families of the deceased. He however cautioned citizens  to always reveal their travel plans to their close relatives and friends.

"It is important for people to always inform their confidants of their travel plans so that in case of anything going wrong ample steps can be taken,” said the Governor.

Theodore Simburudali, the President of IBUKA, the umbrella body of Genocide survivors association, Tuesday, strongly condemned the killings.

The killings come at a time when the Country is preparing to hold for the 15th commemoration of the 1994  Genocide against Tutsi.

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