A story was published by this newspaper yesterday highlighting the plight a young orphan had to endure to recover her family home. The young girl was not even a year old when her father died in 1994, but since the mother was not officially married to the father, in-laws grabbed the house and sold it to unsuspecting third parties. These and similar stories have been doing the rounds, where Genocide survivors and returning relatives took advantage of the orphans’ young age and vulnerability to grab their property. Today, the young children are adults and have the means and information to reclaim their property, but as the above story indicates, 20 years down the road some are still seeking justice. It is inconceivable that ownership wrangles can drag through local administrative levels and the judiciary for years yet simple solutions are right there – the local community. But in most cases, some neighbours connived with local leaders to act as commission agents for willing buyers. Today, one issue has been solved; the rightful owners have reclaimed what is theirs, but what remains is the fate of the unwitting buyers who were tricked into parting with millions since their purchases were accompanied by official documents from local government officials. Who will help recoup their losses? All those who played a part in the fraudulent deals, especially local officials, whether active or no longer in service, should be called to account so that all victims’ grievances are addressed.
