The First Instance Court of Cibitoke (northwestern Burundi) sentenced Jean Paul Hakizimana, alias Ndondo, to 20 years of penal servitude for killing his 15-year-old son after beating him. The trial sparked strong reactions, with concerns about the accused’s influence on the outcome of the judgment. The man is a well-known gold miner in the region. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The Cibitoke Court on Thursday handed down a heavy sentence to Jean Paul Hakizimana, nicknamed Ndondo, sentencing him to 20 years of penal servitude and a fine of 100,000 Burundi francs. The accused was tried for the murder of his 15-year-old son, which occurred on February 22. According to the prosecution, Hakizimana beat his son to death after the latter took the family vehicle without a driving license, causing an accident. The trial, which lasted more than six hours, took the form of a flagrante delicto procedure. The father persisted in denying his guilt, claiming that he never intended to kill his own child.

However, the public prosecutor maintained that the act of violence was deliberate, highlighting the seriousness of the blows inflicted on the victim. During the public hearing, in a packed courtroom, Hakizimana apologized, defending himself by stating that he had not foreseen his son’s death.

The case sparked many reactions among the inhabitants of Cibitoke, who had traveled to follow the proceedings. A human rights defender, based in the region for more than ten years, considered that the judicial proceedings had been fair and equitable, stressing that a parent should never punish his child in such a violent manner. Many residents of the provincial town center expressed their satisfaction with the heavy sentence imposed on this gold miner, considering this judgment as a strong signal against parental abuse. However, fears remain about the possibility of impunity that Jean Paul Hakizimana could benefit from.

The businessman, known for his fortune in the gold trade, is said to have benefited from political protection, which fuels concerns about the possibility of a relaxation during legal appeals. A lawyer for the civil party stressed that, although the justice system in Cibitoke did its job in accordance with the standards, there are doubts about the effective implementation of the sentence, particularly because of the accused’s close ties to local political authorities. Local residents also fear mob justice if the accused were to be released.

However, the verdict rendered by the court remains a symbol of the justice system commitment to combating domestic violence, particularly against children.