Africa-Press – Mozambique. A Rwandan businessman died in a hail of bullets late yesterday afternoon in the Liberdade neighbourhood in Matola municipality. The reasons for the murder are unknown, but Rwandans suspect persecution by the Kigali regime.
Nine shots – immediate and certain death…
Monday, the end of the afternoon and of the life of Rwandan businessman Révocat Karemangingo, riddled with bullets by unknown individuals still at large.
The assailants were travelling in three vehicles when they intercepted the victim’s car about 20 metres from one of his pharmacies and 50 metres from his home, launching a hail of bullets at the vehicle.
Near the site of the murder, it is still possible to see bullet holes in the front gate of the residence and shards of glass from the vehicle.
The Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) and the Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) were on the spot investigating the incident.
Neighbours and some Rwandan citizens also rushed to the scene but, astonished and overwhelmed with fear, did not want to talk about what had happened.
Many of the Rwandans gathered outside the deceased’s residence, who had not witnessed the assassination, still considered it an act of persecution by the Rwandan regime.
“This person who was murdered was on the first list of people to be executed. There are still others who will have the same end,” revealed Venanti Munanheze, another Rwandan refugee.
One of those who believes he is a likely next victim of the Rwandan regime is Monaco Alphonso. “The person was innocent, but in the last few days, there was a list, in a newspaper, of people wanted by Rwanda, and Revocat was number one. I’m on that list, too. There are four of us. So I think the persecution is starting,” said Alphonso, in a voice filled with fear.
Faced with such a prospect, the refugees from Rwanda are asking the Mozambican government for protection, even though they don’t know why they should be persecuted.
“We don’t know what the government is doing to protect us, but protection is what we are asking for,” Venanti Munanheze beseeched.
Businessman Révocant Karemangingo had lived in Mozambique as a Rwandan refugee since 1996.
