Residents of Cyinunga village Nyabisindu cell in Remera sector have accused their leadership of corruption and abuse of office.

Over 50 area residents most of them women on Wednesday converged in Migina waiting in to meet their local authorities to address the issue of one elderly widow, Aline Mushimiyimana. All in vain.

The residents accused local authorities of conniving with one area businessman identified as Pierre Celestin Ngendahimana to grab their plots of land. The group accuses Ngendahimana of undermining them and calling them poor ‘dogs.’

The residents said they organised themselves to collect funds and constructed a temporary house for the widow on a piece of land provided by a good samaritan.

But Ngendahimana approached the local authorities to remove the house on promises that he would rent Mushimiyimana a house for the next one year and refund all the money that was spent to build the temporary structure.

Residents say the businessman failled on his promise and instead collaborated with the leaders to erase the house.

"We were surprised to hear him abuse in front of the leaders and nothing was done,” one of the residents told The New Times.

It is alleged that Ngendahimana described the women "poor female dogs” locally translated as "imbwakazi” and accused government of incompetence. 

Another resident Odette Uwineza who alleges that Ngendahimana took her plot said that she has taken her complaint to the authorities for the last four months and nothing has been done.

One of the area leaders who preferred not to be named confirmed that there was collaboration between Ngendahimana and the local leaders.

"These residents come here every day but only to be given empty promises. Ngendahimana has corrupted all leaders,” he said.

When contacted, Jean de Dien Kabanda, cell Executive Secretary of Nyabisindu was noncommittal on the matter.

A few minutes later, Ngendahimana who was yet to be contacted called The New Times,  dismissing all the claims by the residents.

"I am the person they are alleging to have wronged them. I don’t know what these people want from me but they are lying,” he said.

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