Suspects in Kayumba shooting not Rwandan

KIGALI - South African authorities yesterday revealed the identities of the four men arrested on suspicion of being involved in the shooting former Rwandan Ambassador to India, Kayumba Nyamwasa in Johannesburg two weeks ago. None of the suspects is Rwandan as it had been earlier suggested. The four, who briefly appeared in court, were identified as Juma Huseni 35, and 30-year-old Shafiri Bakari both from Tanzania, Ahmed Ali, a 26-year-old Somali, and George Francis, 31, from Mozambique. Three of the suspects are said to have asylum status while the other has not revealed his status. Several reports emerging from South Africa indicate that the attack on Kayumba was a result of a botched robbery rather than an assassination attempt, as earlier suggested.Police spokesman, Govindsamy Mariemuthoo refused to disclose a possible motive until the suspects make their next appearance in court. Police last week dropped attempted murder charges against two other people who were also arrested after the shooting. Nyamwasa and his wife were returning from shopping in northern Johannesburg when a lone gunman fired on him June 19. His wife immediately blamed the Rwandan government. Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo, dismissed the claims and said that the allegations were part of the ongoing international press campaign to slander the Government and also suggest a political crisis. Rwanda had requested South Africa to extradite both Keyumba Nyamwasa and Patrick Karegeya, to face criminal charges. Both are accused of being behind the recent grenade attacks in the city which left three people dead and more than 30 people injured. Ends

National

Suspects in Kayumba shooting not Rwandan