In a shocking case that has sent shockwaves throughout the country, Denis Kazungu of Rwanda has pleaded guilty to the murder of 12 women and two men. The accused, who allegedly buried the bodies of his victims in his own kitchen, was discovered when he was evicted from his rented accommodation in Kicukiro, a suburb of the capital city, Kigali. The courtroom was filled with tension as a grieving mother cried out for her child, who she claimed was one of the victims.
The purpose of the recent hearing was to determine whether Mr. Kazungu should remain in detention while awaiting trial. The judge will announce the decision on 26th September. Although Mr. Kazungu did not have legal representation, he surprisingly appeared calm and composed during the proceedings. When asked to enter a plea, he firmly stated that he was “guilty”. However, it is worth noting that he made baseless allegations that his victims deliberately infected him with AIDS, without offering any evidence to support his claims. The state of his mental health is not yet determined, but he seemed rational when he requested the court to keep the proceedings confidential, a plea which was subsequently denied.
The arrest of Mr. Kazungu came after his landlord reported him to the police for failing to pay rent for seven consecutive months. The police were met with resistance when they attempted to evict him from the property. His unusual behavior, including excessive apologies and tears, raised suspicions, leading to his eventual arrest. It was during his detention that he confessed to the murders, which prompted the Rwanda Investigation Bureau to further investigate his residence.
According to a spokesperson from the investigation bureau, Mr. Kazungu targeted his victims, mostly sex workers, by luring them to his home under false pretenses. He would then rob them before strangling them to death and burying their bodies in a hole in the kitchen of his rented house. The authorities have not yet released the names of all the suspected victims.
This case has left the nation in shock and disbelief. The gruesome nature of the crimes committed by Mr. Kazungu has highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures, especially for vulnerable individuals such as sex workers. It is essential that law enforcement agencies and society as a whole work together to ensure the protection of all citizens. The investigation into this case serves as a reminder that justice must prevail, even in the face of unimaginable horrors.
