In Kinunu Village, Bushaka Cell, Boneza Sector, Rutsiro District, a tragic incident has been reported involving a man found dead in a goat’s tether. It is alleged that he committed suicide to escape a debt of Rwf 180,000 owed to a local savings group.
The man, identified as Pascal Habiyaremye, was 48 years old and a member of the Twisungane Kinamba savings group, which comprises 290 members. According to one of the group members, Habiyaremye served as the group’s secretary, and it is believed that the missing funds may have driven him to take his own life, as the loss had caused him significant distress.
The Executive Secretary of Boneza Sector, Patrick Munyamahoro Muhizi, confirmed to the media that local authorities had intervened in the group’s financial issues three times. Group members had agreed that the missing money must be repaid by those responsible.
Munyamahoro stated, “All members had signed and committed to repaying the money next month. However, the deceased seemed to struggle with the situation, claiming he was being unfairly blamed.”
Neighbors of the deceased confirmed that he had no other known issues that might have pushed him to end his life, suggesting the financial burden was the main cause.
Munyamahoro urged individuals managing group funds to handle them responsibly to avoid such incidents, noting that financial mismanagement can have severe consequences.
Pascal Habiyaremye, a coffee farmer and trader, leaves behind a wife and five children.
