{Rwanda National Police (RNP) has in two separate incidents arrested two men suspected of defiling underage girls in the Eastern Province. }
The first occurrence happened in Rwamagana District, Gishali Sector, on March 18, when a 49 year-old man identified as Emmanuel Ntiyamira allegedly sexually defiled a 4 year-old girl.
He is said to have stealthily guided his victim from her parents’ home in the evening, without seeking any consent, to his home where he allegedly committed the crime.
When she returned home, the parents realized that she was ill and rushed her to Rwamagana Hospital where a doctor confirmed that she had been defiled.
Police then arrested Ntiyamira that night, as the prime suspect, following investigations and information provided by residents in the area.
He is currently detained Kigabiro Police Station as further investigation continue, while the young girl is undergoing treatment.
The second case happened the same day, involving a suspect Sylvester Harerimana, 40, a resident of Gihango Sector, Ngoma District, who defiled a girl of 17 years.
Police investigations indicated that the suspect intruded his neighbor’s home and defiled the girl while the parents had gone to tend to their farm.
He was reported to Police by a neighbor who spotted him entering the house and was arrested moments later – and is currently held at Mutenderi Police Station – while the girl is at Mutenderi Medical Center for medical examination.
Police spokesperson for Eastern Province, IP Emmanuel Kayigi, condemned the serious crime, and lauded members of the community for providing timely information against rapists and defilers.
“Defilement is an intolerable offense which the Rwandan society should fight against collectively. Some victims and parents find it hard to report this offense because many times, the attacker is known to them,” he said.
“However, they should report this scourge immediately in order to aid investigations and also help in stopping future situations in which the criminal may attack again.”
He also advised parents of defiled victims to immediately take them for sexual assault forensic examinations, which help Police in collecting evidence and prosecuting the criminals.
RNP established a toll free number – 3512 – where information from the public concerning sexual and gender-related crimes can be reported.
The anti-GBV and Child Protection Directorate advises victims against immediately showering after sexual abuse as it erases evidence. The victim must first see a doctor in order to provide evidence against the accused.
Although sexual and gender-related crimes have decreased tremendously, Police indicates that they are still among the major crimes committed in the country.
Leave a Reply