SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA — A genocide survivor has been killed in Tsyazo cell, Muhanga sector, Muhanga district.

Generosa Mukanyonga who was 90 years old by the time of her death, was murdered by a group of six assailants last Friday morning. Sources said the suspects, most of them former genocide convicts have been arrested. Police declined to give any details.

Sources indicated that the suspects admitted committing the crime at a community meeting held over the weekend. The suspects reportedly said they wanted to eliminate the deceased because of her demands for compensation of the damages caused during the genocide.

"Mukanyonga was burnt to death by six men in broad day light and residents didn’t alert anyone to her rescue until her grandsons called for help after seeing their house burning to ashes," Eugène Karangwa, the area’s president of Ibuka in the area told The New Times. Karangwa condemned the killing and called for an end to the continuous murder of survivors in the Southern Province districts.

The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Nsenginyunva, Pasteur Mugiraneza, Kamana, Euradi and his son-Shyaka, and Saveri Bizigye. Saveri is said to be the ring leader. However, sources say the suspects have since denied the statements they uttered in public about the murder.

Karangwa added, "The killing was motivated by the evil intentions that still ringer in people’s minds. If the leadership doesn’t stand up against these crimes and set an example to the community, then the security of survivors is compromised."

Residents who talked to our reporter urged government to reinforce security in the area. The residents observed transferring security personnel who have ‘mastered’ the security situation compromises the security of survivors.

Mukanyonga is the third survivor to be killed in Muhanga district in a space of less than two months. Other survivors were killed in Cyeza and Nyarusange sector days before the genocide memorial week.

Some incidents previously reported in the area include, refusing to participate in community work, tearing of National flags and threatening to kill Gacaca judges.

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