KIGALI - Police have finally caught up with a group of four (three women and a man) self confessed killers including two witch doctors for conspiring to murder seven people in a period of two years.

The quartet, according to police, is responsible for the deaths of Francois Gasirabo and Jeanette Nyirabaganwa, who were killed on March 22  and whose deaths had been linked to persecution of the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The three identified as Francois Nsoro, 49 (a witchdoctor), Marie Jose Kayitesi, 37 and 42 year old Francine Mukaneza are being held at Remera Police Station while another witchdoctor, Jeanne Nzamukosha is being  held at Muhanga Police station.

According to Police, the suspects allegedly used the gimmick of healing, as witchdoctors and multiplying money to lure their victims.

Supt. Morris Muligo, the Head of Serious Crime Investigations at the CID said, Nsoro who is the key suspect in the serial murders had previously been jailed for unsuccessfully attempting to steal a baby gorilla.

Nsoro who hails from Mugina Sector in Kamonyi District, Southern Province has three children and a wife who is also under police custody over similar charges.

During an interview with The New Times, Muligo said that Police discovered a number of dead bodies several times before they could link the murders to Nsoro who eventually confessed.

"It is after discovering the two bodies of Gasirabo and Nyirabaganwa that investigations led to the arrest of the prime suspects,” Muligo said.

The two victims were killed and dumped in Nyabarongo.
Muligo said that Nsoro traversed the country and crossed into Uganda twice before he ran out of luck and was arrested shortly before he made another trip.

"In his attempts to escape, he moved around Bugesera, Mutara, Musanza, Byumba, Huye, Kamonyi and many other parts of the country before we finally caught up with him,” said Muligo.

Police spokesperson John Uwamungu warned the public against involvement  in witchcraft.

"Rwandans should clearly understand that no one has the power to do such things as multiplying wealth and should report any cases of such cases,” Uwamungu said.

He thanked Rwandans who have helped the police in their efforts to curb crime.

This is the first case of chain murders that has been reported to police ever since operations against serious crimes started over ten years ago.

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