GAKENKE - A 21-year-old woman in Gakenke District succumbed to severe injuries she sustained after her siblings brutally beat and burnt her over alleged theft on Tuesday night.

The deceased, identified as Josiane Mukandunguste, was accused of stealing Rwf2, 000 from her mother, Anafilida Nyirarekeraho, which prompted her elder sister and brother to ‘punish her and make her confess’ by burning her hands.

Three family members are detained in Ruli Sector in connection with the incident.

Upon arrest, the suspects, Jean Nsanzimana, Marie Chantal Mukamana, and Nyirarekeraho, confessed to having jointly beat and burnt the deceased to compel her to produce the money she had allegedly stolen.

"It was terrible for the young girl. After beating her into a coma, they took her to bed, where she died alone at 5 a.m.,” Felicien Cyubahiro, the sector’s Executive Secretary, said.

"We are mobilising residents to settle family conflicts. We ask all the people to participate in conflict resolution before it degenerates into death”.

Neighbours were tipped off by a young child in the family who had reportedly witnessed the incident.

The child later narrated that her elder sister, who participated in beating, had stolen the money.

The body of the deceased was taken to Ruli Hospital for a post-mortem and later taken for burial in Gakingo Village, Nyamugali Cell.

Gakenke District Police Commander, Supt. Christopher Ntaganira, condemned the incident and said the suspects would be charged with murder.

Meanwhile, Police is also investigating another case in Kamubuga cell in which five sheep belonging to two families were killed by unknown people. 

Ends