Rwanda : Man held over murder
The suspect: Deo Bicumi
Police in Huye District is holding a man suspected for killing his roommate on Saturday.
Mathias Rwabukumba, 91 was allegedly slain by Deo Bicumi, 38 at Saint Joseph Catholic Sister’s Centre situated in Tumba sector, Huye district where the victim sought assistance as a vulnerable.
Bicumi has already confessed to killing Rwabukumba with whom they shared a room. He murdered the elderly individual following a misunderstanding which occurred at around 9pm in their room.
Bicumi said that he used a full-size wooden stick in beating Rwabukumba on his head until he breathed his last breath.
The suspect is currently detained at Huye Police Station. Police in Huye district said it was in early morning hours that the center’s leaders knew about the incident after touring the rooms as part of their daily morning duty and immediately informed the police.
The Police hurriedly intervened and arrested the suspect. The Southern Region Police spokesperson Superintendent Hubert Gashagaza advised the center’s officials to strictly make enough regulation and attention on everyone being assisted.
“It is the responsibility of the Center’s owners to know the kind of people they assist. They should know their background, behaviors, discipline and all information about the vulnerable people before they receive them in their centers so as to avoid future incidents,” Gashagaza said.
Cases of independent murders around the country have gone up in recent days. However, Police say they have laid strategies to combat crimes including family conflicts such as sensitization and training of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) and working together with other institutions and the public through night patrols and Neighborhood Watch in bid to create a crime-free society.
If convicted, Bicumi shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of ten years to fifteen years if he has committed battery or causes bodily injuries which result into death. If the battery is committed intentionally and result into death, the suspect shall be liable to life imprisonment, as stipulated by article 151 of the Penal Code.
