SOUTHERN PROVINCE

RUHANGO—The trial of two famous Gitwe adventist church leaders has taken another twist as new evidence has appeared on charges of masterminding killings during the 1994 Genocide.

On November 5, Dionysus Ngendahayo, a survivor, appeared with new evidence accusing Thaddeus Mukezabatware, an employee of Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA), Elizafan Nzaramba for allegedly playing a role in the killings of his relatives.

The pair appeared in court last month over allegations of killing Petero Muligande, Job Ngabonziza and his brother. The trial has attracted the attention of large numbers of adventists and local leaders in the area.

Ngendahayo alleged that the duo played a role in the death of his relatives identified as Alfred Rwayitare, Mukaragi and Didas Mbonigaba, all killed in a banana plantation near the church premises.

"The three unidentified people killed together with Musinga are my relatives and I am here to make official witness that Mukazabatware and Nzaramaba had a role in their death, although the dossier is lined up on Kazungu’s trial,” Ngendahayo said.

Jyoma sector court said the claims would be reviewed as the judges apparently had to listen to the witness of two former guards, Gaspard Hakizimana and Gerald Ndagiyimana, the also accused in the case.

Residents say that most of the killings in Gitwe were executed by security guards in the Adventist strong hold and the guards are accused for allegedly taking orders from the accused leaders to kill an unknown numbers of residents. The former guards pled guilty to the killings but didn’t indicate who else was behind the killings.

"We were involved in killings that claimed Muligande Petero, Musinga and the three unidentified people, and one more person whom we attacked and killed after Nzaramba called us saying he was attacked,” Ndagiyimana said.

Ndagiyimana added that "most of the victims could not be readily identified as we acted under the pretext of our bosses being attacked. We had been asked to do away with any thugs.”

Judges have postponed the final trial of the suspects until November 20, waiting to certify evidence and listen to one more witness, who did appear that day.

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