A father and his son appeared before the Busasamana Primary Court in Nyanza District over allegations of beating an elderly woman to death, in a case that has drawn public attention due to conflicting accounts of what happened.
The prosecution alleges that Nkeramugabe Grégoire, 67, and his son Habimana Félicien, 27, assaulted Mukantaganira Clothilde, 67, who was later confirmed dead following injuries sustained in the attack.
The incident is said to have taken place on the night of April 22, 2026, in Bugari Cell, Ntyazo Sector, where the victim was reportedly attacked after being mistaken for a thief.
Prosecutors told the court that the woman was severely beaten with sticks and sustained injuries across her body before dying on April 23, 2026. They requested a 30-day provisional detention as investigations continue.
Nkeramugabe denied personally beating the victim, telling the court he initially spotted an unidentified person near a pig pen at night and believed she was a thief. He said he alerted his son and later called other residents for help.
He claimed that although the victim was assaulted by villagers, he attempted to intervene and intended to hand her over to local authorities.
“I did not touch her. My intention was to take her to the authorities,” he told the court.
However, he acknowledged that the victim was beaten by others in the presence of his son.
Habimana Félicien admitted striking the victim once, saying he also mistook her for a thief, while claiming other blows were inflicted by another unidentified person.
He also argued that his father should not be detained, insisting he did not take part in the assault.
When questioned by the judge on the impact of his admitted blow, Habimana did not respond.
The court said it will rule on the prosecution’s request for provisional detention before the end of May 2026.
