Hacked teacher fights for his life

A HEADTEACHER of Rwikiniro primary school in Rwimbogo Sector, Gatsibo District, is fighting for his life after being attacked by panga-wielding assailants a fortnight ago.Johnson Ndinda was attacked in his home on the night of January 14. He was cut several times in the head. 55-year old Ndinda was rushed to the nearby Kiziguro hospital and later transferred to King Faisal Hospital in Kigali where he went through a brain operation. Sources at the hospital say Ndinda suffered severe brain damage that was caused by internal bleeding. His eldest son Frank Mugabo accused local leaders among them, the Sector Executive Secretary and the police of negligence. “The most painful thing is that area leaders and police have refused to investigate the incident,” Mugabo said tearfully. Family members say Ndinda was attacked while returning to check on his cows near his compound. Ndinda had recently transferred seven cows from his farm to his home to provide milk for his family’s consumption. Relatives say Ndinda would wake up in the night to check on the cows to make sure they did not wander to neighbouring gardens. He reportedly met his assailants at the door on his return from the kraal. Mugabo says police visited the scene of the incident only once and had since not returned. “We know the suspect. He is a relative but the police say they cannot act on mere suspicion,” Mugabo complained. Police spokesperson, Inspector Willy Marcel Higiro, said he was unaware of the incident.The relatives also accuse Rwimbogo Sector Executive Secretary Fred Murara Kazoora of negligence. According to the family, the local official had showed no interest in the case.“He said our father was attacked in the bar. We are beginning to wonder how he came to know he was attacked while in the bar,” Mugabo said. When contacted Tuesday, Kazoora said the matter was being investigated. “As I talk now, we have just ended a meeting about this case,” Kazoora said by phone.Kazoora said Ndinda’s daughter had told him that her father had left the door unlocked which could have given the opportunity for the attackers to strike. “His daughter said he had left the door unlocked. That means he was not serious about his security,” Kazoora said. Ends

National

Hacked teacher fights for his life