KIGALI - Police, yesterday, paraded before the press a suspect who confessed to having been hired by one of the leaders of a breakaway faction of the saga-prone opposition party, PS-Imberakuri to kill its leader.

Theophile Uwizeye, 25 allegedly conspired with Pastor Noel Hakizimfura, the Secretary General of the breakaway faction to set on the house of group leader, Christine Mukabunani, but he was intercepted by police before he could accomplish the mission.

Addressing the press, Spokesperson Supt. Eric Kayiranga said that the police had earlier been tipped off about the motive to torch Mukabunani’s house and was closely monitoring the suspect.

"It is a cruel act which we managed to stop. Someone was promised something in return, but their plans didn’t materialise. We apprehended the suspects and we will keep them in custody until police completes investigations,” Kayiranga said.

Police also confiscated cans of petrol, candlesticks, acid, a long thread as well as documents belonging to the party--which were also supposed to be set ablaze.

According to the Police Spokesperson, Hakizimfura had promised Uwizeye a university scholarship after accomplishing his mission.

Uwizeye who was arrested, Monday, said his plan was not to kill but rather scare Mukabunani, consequently forcing her to quit the party, giving Hakizimfura a chance to takeover.

In an interview with The New Times, Mukabunani said that she was surprised by the incident. 

"I was shocked when I was told that it is Hakizimfura. I had no problem with him and we can only wait and see what police investigations tell us. I am scared, my family is scared,” Mukabunani said on phone.

She, however, said that she is still in charge of the breakaway group and there is no infighting as the action might suggest.

Mukabunani broke away from the mainstream PS Imberakuri party, accusing its leader Bernard Ntaganda of allying with individuals who had intensions of causing state insecurity, spread ethnic divisionism as well as the Genocide ideology.

Ends