Kayonza: Four School Officials Arrested

The accused include Soeur Kasine Marcienne, the school’s former director; Iribagiza Benigne, in charge of student welfare and female students (Animatrice); Mpambara Jean Baptiste, in charge of finances; and Soeur Ingabire Marie Chantal, responsible for student behavior.

The four are under investigation for their involvement in crimes such as giving a person something that could kill or harm their health and neglecting to assist someone in danger.

They are suspected of giving students a type of local brew, which is believed to have caused the death of one student, while others are currently being treated in Rwinkwavu Hospital.

The officials are being detained for further investigation to determine the cause of the student’s death and why other students fell ill. The body of the deceased has been taken to the Rwanda Forensic Institute for examination.

The suspects are being held at the Mukarange and Fumbwe RIB stations while their case is being processed for transfer to the Public Prosecution.

According to Article 115 of the Penal Code, giving someone something that could kill or harm their health is a crime. A person convicted of this offense can face a prison sentence of between 2 to 3 years, along with a fine ranging from 300,000 Rwandan Francs to 500,000 Rwandan Francs.

If the substance given causes a permanent illness, incapacity, or permanent loss of bodily function, the penalty increases to a prison sentence of between 20 and 25 years, and a fine ranging from 500,000 Rwandan Francs to 1 million Rwandan Francs.

Neglecting to help someone in danger is another offense under Article 244 of the Penal Code. The penalty for this offense is imprisonment for 1 to 3 years, with a fine ranging from 300,000 Rwandan Francs to 500,000 Rwandan Francs.

Credit: UMUSEKE