The National Intelligence Service-SNR arrested two local chiefs from Musaga zone of Muha commune in the capital Bujumbura. They were later transferred to Mpimba prison after a trial.The motive behind their arrest is still unclear.
Musaga zone, where the two arrested local chiefs were working
Ntahombasigiye Emmanuel, Kinanira I district chief and Ntimpirangeza Alexis, Gitaramuka district chief are the two local administrative officials who are currently jailed in Mpimba prison. They were arrested on Monday 4th September while being on their duty at Musaga zone and transferred to Mpimba prison on Thursday 7th September.Their families say they need to know the reasons behind their arrest.
“My father was arrested on Monday, early in the morning. I tried to contact authorities to know what he has done in vain. Many things are said behind his arrest but no authority wants to shed light on that”, says Emmanuel’s daughter.
She also says his family is worried about the arrest as there seems to be political reasons behind it. She said the two arrested chiefs are the only ones who do not belong to the ruling party CNDD-FDD.
Antoine Rumenyetso, Musaga zone chief, says they are still investigating the motives of their arrest. He confirmed that the two local chiefs were arrested at Musaga zone. “They are town council employees and were arrested on Monday. We don’t clearly know why they were arrested. We are going to follow the case closely.”
However, he denies any political motives behind their arrest. He appeals to their families to trust justice “We have different colleagues from different political parties. There are no political reasons behind. Let’s justice do its job. Whoever will be found guilty will face justice and the innocent will be released”, said Rumenyetso.
According to the spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office, Agnès Bangiricenge, the arrested local chiefs are accused of three offenses namely forgery, failure to public solidarity and usurpation of public functions.She added that the public prosecutor continues to examine the case in order to transmit it to the competent court.
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