Nyanza district Mayor Abdallah Murenzi has confirmed the arrest of Cassien Rukundo of Kabilizi sector for alledgedly attacking and injuring several residents at Nyagasozi cell with a mob of local night guards (Abanyarondo).
“Rukundo is being interogated by Police. We will communicate the outcomes to the press once Police investigations are concluded,” Murenzi noted.
Rukundo is a local leader at Kabilizi sector in charge of development. He was arrested following a petition filed by area residents accusing him of bullying locals and denying them various rights.
Victims claim that it was not the first time they were harassed by Rukundo. He allegedly whips residents with a stick especially when residents fail to attend the monthly communal service (Umuganda) and defaulting local medical insurance (mutuelle de santé ).
Rukundo however argues that he whipped a team of thugs that had attacked him and a team of local night guards (abanyarondo) on the eve of new year while on a patrol.
“On our way to Muhanga center in the night we met a man who was grazing his cattle in another person’s garden. When we questioned him about illegally grazing in someones land, he agreed to pay a fine of Frw 5,000.
He later went to a nearby house and returned with a group of more than 20 people. We had no choice but ran away before they would attack us.”
Rukundo claims he didn’t attack anyone that night but later conducted an operation in the area the following day to arrest some suspects.
During the operation he allegedly whipped several people with a team of night Guards loyal to him and three residents were seriously wounded in the operation.
Marcel Makuza a victim who has been bandaged on his skull disclosed that he was beaten without any committing any crime.
“As I walked home from the market I found several men along the way, I greeted them however, one of them said that I was among the people who attacked them on the eve of New Year and they immediately started beating me mercilessly despite my innocence,” he narrated.
Pauline Mutabaruka the executive secretary of Nyagasozi noted that tough actions should be taken against bully leaders.
“We appoint them to lead us not to injure people when they are in the wrong. They shouldn’t take the law in their hands,” she advised.
She condemned the attack of a Muragijimana a 15 year old boy who sustained injuries on his left eye.
Another resident only indetified as Bimenyimana disclosed that he has been harassed in the past by Rukundo for lacking mutuelle de santé yet among the vulnerable in the community.
Source: IGITONDO
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