MUHANGA – Police have arrested four men suspected to have gang-raped a Gacaca court judge in Nyamabuye Sector, Muhanga District, last week.

The alleged victim (names withheld) is a mother of three children and judge in a Gacaca court in the sector.

She was allegedly raped on October 24 and, with the arrests, police say investigations into the case are making headway.

The alleged victim is also a survivor of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

The suspects are Ferdinand Nkurikiyumukiza, a demobilised soldier, Sirilo Habyarimana, a Gacaca judge, Romaurd Nsabimana and Vital Ngirumpatse.

John Karangwa, one of the police investigators handling the case, narrated: "The crime occurred at about 7.30pm on October 24 as the victim was heading home from shopping. The four men tied her on a tree, hands-apart using brand new ropes and allegedly raped her.”

The police was alerted the next day and visited the scene of crime as the victim was rushed to Kabgayi Hospital, Karangwa said.

Doctors at Kabgayi denied access to the alleged victim but sources said that her private parts were seriously injured and she spent four days in hospital.

When The New Times spoke to the alleged victim, she said: "I was raped by four young men whom I occasionally see in Muhanga town.

I can still identify them if I come across their faces. One of them is called Jean de Dieu Ubarijoro, a resident of Biti Cell – whom I once tried for Genocide crimes. 

She added: "My life is insecure and I would like to know what leaders are going to do for survivors, as it seems like all Genocide witnesses are in danger.”

She said that she lost among others, her brother and mother in the 1994 Genocide.

In January, this year, the woman testified against two Genocide suspects –Yohani Nkurunziza and Claudine Mukarusagara in Gisozi, Kigali City, for killing her family members.

Clues to her alleged rape have been connected to the fact that she met Nkurunziza – one of the suspects who had escaped the Gisozi court trial on the evening she was raped.

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