KIGALI: An elderly woman, Costasie Nyirantama aged 75, who lived in Gasabo District, was burned to death with petrol (gasoline) by her neighbor Jean Bosco Mugabowindinda ,who accused her of being a witch.
This tragic incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, October 12, 2025, in Kamusengo village, Ndatemwa cell, Rutunga sector, Gasabo district, in the City of Kigali.
Nyirantama was set on fire inside her house using petrol by her neighbor , Mugabowindinda aka Mugabo, who accused her of practicing witchcraft.
Witnesses say residents rushed to help after hearing her cries for help, saying that Mugabo had set her on fire as she was trying to open her door to enter her home.
Some neighbors of the deceased, speaking to BTN TV we got source from,in deep sorrow, explained what happened.
One said:“I asked, who burned her? They said it was Costasie. I asked, who burned Costasie? They said it was Mugabo.”
Another neighbor added:“She was burned to death. They poured petrol on her. The man who burned her is her neighbor—the very person she often complained about and feared.”
A third resident said:“They burned her with petrol and killed her. When I came in the morning, I saw where people had gathered, and I could see she had been killed. The man who burned her lives up the hill—he accused her of being a witch.”
Residents are now demanding severe punishment for Mugabo, who killed the elderly woman.
One of them said: “Dying that way—being burned alive—is horrible. The one who did it should be punished, even with death, so that others learn from it.”
Neighbors said the late Costasie had long-standing conflicts with Mugabo’s family. She often feared for her life and would look for someone to accompany her home at night.
They said:“For a very long time, she had been crying out for help. For over a year, she often fled her home or the trading center because she feared being attacked. I personally escorted her several times.”
Although reports suggest she was accused of witchcraft, her neighbors insist that during all the years they lived together, they never heard of anyone she had bewitched.
The Spokesperson of the Rwanda National Police in the City of Kigali, CIP Wellars Gahonzire, confirmed the incident and warned citizens against taking the law into their own hands.
He said: “We received information about an elderly woman named Costasie Nyirantama, aged 71, who was burned by criminals using petrol. People must avoid acts of revenge because they are prohibited under Rwandan law. Anyone who commits or attempts such acts should know they are committing a crime.”
CIP Gahonzire further stated that an investigation had begun to identify all those involved. So far, six suspects have been arrested, and authorities will later announce the motive behind the crime.
Currently, Mugabo and other suspects have been arrested and detained at Rutunga Police Station, Gasabo District, Kigali City, for legal proceedings.
The crime of murder, which Mugabo is charged with, is defined and punishable under Article 107 of Law No. 059/2023 of 04/12/2023, amending Law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 on offences and penalties in general.If found guilty, he faces life imprisonment.
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