A 32-year-old man identified as Twagirayezu Athanase, who worked loading sand onto boats at Mugonero in Mahembe Sector, Nyamasheke District, is being held at RIB Gihombo Station after allegedly drowning his colleague in Lake Kivu following a dispute over a missing bag.
The victim, 22-year-old Namahirwe from Kigugu Village, Nkora Cell in Kigeyo Sector, Rutsiro District, had reportedly come to Mugonero looking for work after being released from detention at RIB Bwishyura Station in Karongi District.
According to witnesses, Namahirwe joined Twagirayezu and others to load sand, but later lost his bag containing two pairs of trousers and two pairs of shoes. Twagirayezu accused him of stealing it and began beating him and another worker. The beating intensified until he pushed Namahirwe into Lake Kivu.
A co-worker told Imvaho Nshya that the victim could not swim. “He fell into the lake and drowned instantly because none of us could swim to save him,” he said.
Police Marine officers were called to retrieve the body, which was later taken to Mugonero Hospital for examination. Twagirayezu initially claimed that Namahirwe had jumped into the lake himself to avoid being beaten, but witnesses insisted he had been thrown in.
Another worker described the act as excessive violence. “He assaulted the young man brutally, accusing him without proof. This is serious abuse, and if found guilty, he should face the full consequences. Such violence among workers here has become too common,” he said.
Pascal Hagabimfura, the Executive Secretary of Mahembe Sector, confirmed the arrest and the recovery of the victim’s body to Imvaho Nshya. “The suspect is in RIB custody, and the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
He urged residents to avoid violence and resolve disputes peacefully, warning that such acts lead to irreversible consequences.
