NORTHERN PROVINCE

MUSANZE — Police in Musanze have arrested four people in connection with the death of a man whose body was discovered in a stream last week.

The suspects including the deceased’s elder brother are accused of killing Aimable Nzakizwanimana, 33 whose body was found floating on Mukungwa stream after three days of missing.

The police at Muhoza Police station, where the suspects are currently detained, identified the suspects as Damascene Nsingayehe, the deceased’s brother, J. de Dieu Nzabonimpa, 21, Damascene Munyagasozi, 34, and Joseph Sekugabanya, 28.

According to the police, Nsingayehe is the prime suspect who conspired with his colleagues all of whom are his neighbours to kill his brother over land. He promised to reward them after the execution.

The trio were arrested as they planned to escape to Uganda through Kisoro. Area residents say the two brothers had a land case before local leaders which was yet to be settled.

Admitting the crime at police, Nzabonimpa said he cut the neck of the victim, as his friends held the body tight. He claimed that he was misled after his colleagues said the victim was plotting to kill his relative, Munyagasozi and take their property.

Land in Musanze district is reported to be the major source of conflicts and crimes being committed. According to statistics from the Grand Instance Court, land wrangles constitute over 90% of the cases being handled in the area.

Isabelle Riziki, the president of the Grand Instance Court-Musanze, attributes the land wrangles to polygamous marriages.

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