EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA — Police in Rwamagana district are holding two Gacaca court judges for allegedly receiving a bribe from a local resident over a ‘trumped-up’ Gacaca related case. Acting on a tip-off from the victim, one Mukarusine Mariana, a resident of Musha, the police on February 22 caught the secretary of Musha Gacaca Court, J. Claude Mugandura red-handed with marked notes amounting to Rwf20, 000 which they had specifically provided for the operation. Mugandura admitted to the charges and disclosed that Mukamurangwa Emerase, the President of the Musha Gacaca Appeals Court and his Vice, Gatsinzi Theoneste were behind the botched deal. Police moved with speed and also arrested Mukamurangwa but his vice remains at large. Police sources say the two Gacaca officials threatened to summon Mukarusine to court to answer charges related to her alleged role in the 1994 Genocide, yet she had been set free less than a year back. “They asked her to pay Rwf30 000 before she could appear in court,” said the police source, adding, “She gave the secretary Rwf20, 000 which he was supposed to give the President.” Mugandura explained that he was found at his home and given the money which he was supposed to give to the court’s Vice President, who would in turn hand it to the president. He expressed regret for having received the cash, claiming he was not aware it was meant to be a bribe. “I regret my actions and ask for forgiveness,” said Mugandura, adding, “They tempted me into receiving it.” He alleged that residents have previously complained to him that the president (Mukamurangwa) was taking bribes, but he had always dismissed the allegations when asked. Speaking from police, Mukamurangwa denied the charges. “This is the only time I have heard of corruption tendencies in the court I lead. It was a shock to me and people wanted to just black mail me,” she said. Meanwhile, it is also alleged that Mukamurangwa is accused of having stripped dead bodies naked during the 1994 Genocide, and took their clothes and other items they had. Ends
