The prosecution has requested life imprisonment for two young men suspected of killing their father over a 40,000 Rwf fine.
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NSANZIMANA SylverSep 13, 20263 min read
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The prosecution has requested life imprisonment for two young men suspected of killing their father over a 40,000 Rwf fine.
On September 10, 2026, the Rusizi High Court held a public hearing on the case against Nzamurambaho Eric and Niringiyimana Anathole, who are accused of killing their father, Mushinzimana Stanislas. The prosecution asked the court to convict them of manslaughter and sentence them to life imprisonment.
The prosecution told the court that the dispute began over a loan of 40,000 Rwandan Francs that Frw Nzamurambaho had made to his father. He said that he had promised to give him a piece of land as collateral but he did not give it to him. Testimony from family members given to the Criminal Investigation Department showed that this dispute had been going on for some time.
The prosecution said that on December 23, 2025, Niringiyimana Anathole entered the room where his father, Mushinzimana Stanislas, was found, and strangled him to death. He then called his brother Nzamurambaho Eric, and they worked together to tie and hang the body from a mosquito net to make it look like a suicide.
The pair's sister told the court that she saw Niringiyimana Anatole strangle her father, and then Eric came to help him hang him. The prosecution said that after the act, the pair left the scene, destroyed evidence, and returned as if they had come to witness the incident.
Both denied their involvement. Nzamurambaho Eric said that he had gone to visit his sister that day and it was raining from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, so he was asleep. Niringiyimana Anatole said that he had gone to work in Mururu Sector at the time.
The prosecution denied that the deceased committed suicide. It relied on the first photo taken after seeing him: the rope was hanging overhead but his legs were touching the ground. It said that this was not possible in a normal suicide, and therefore indicated that he was killed and hanged later.
The hearing was held in public at the Murambi Cell Square, in Nyakarenzo Sector where the crime is suspected to have been committed. This approach aims to bring justice closer to the population and educate them about the consequences of crimes.
Some of the participants in the hearing said that seeing the trial taking place on the spot helps them understand the justice system. One said: “Defending at the scene of the crime allows us to see how justice is administered. It also makes people more afraid of committing crimes.”
The court concluded the hearing by asking both parties to prepare their closing arguments. The verdict is scheduled for October 8, 2026, when the defendants will be notified of their conviction and sentence. This issue once again reminds us of the importance of resolving family disputes peacefully and respecting human life.
Tuganire newsroom
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NSANZIMANA Sylver
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