Kagame, There Is Significant Circumstantial Evidence That You Know Gafaranga, A Member Of The Hit Squad That Killed Karegeya
Open Letter To General Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda
Dear General Paul Kagame:
On April 18, 2019, South Africa’s Justice Mashiane Mathopa concluded that the murderers of your former intelligence chief, Patrick Karegeya, are not only known but are also linked to your government. The most interesting of the four Rwandan nationals accused of this crime is Apollo Gafaranga. I put it to you that you personally know Apollo Gafaranga. Why do I say that? I base my views on the significant circumstantial evidence that already exists in the public domain.
First of all, Apollo Gafaranga is from a prominent Rwandan family, and evidently a leading businessman in Rwanda. He is into cinema business and real estate. On May 23, 2009, your own New Times described Apollo Gafaranga as one of Rwanda’s ”successful entrepreneurs.” These are The New Times’ own words:
”Humorous, down to earth, intelligent, Apollo Gafaranga is one of those successful entrepreneurs in the country. He is the proprietor of the newly established sophisticated cinema hall in Nyamirambo, famously known as Cine Star Cinema. He is also into real estate.
Apollo Gafaranga described to The New Times his future plans as follows: ”After accomplishing my cinema project, I intend to build a shopping mall in Nyamirambo.”
Secondly, Mr. President, Apollo Gafaranga’s brother, Amini Gafaranga, is another prominent figure, and most certainly known to you. Why do I say that? Amini Gafaranga used to be a senior executive in MTN Rwanda. He was no less than the Business Development Manager in the company. MTN Rwanda was at the time a joint venture between MTN South Africa and Crystal Ventures Ltd (CVL).
General Kagame, you are effectively CVL Chairman by the virtue of your chairmanship of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), the ruling party that owns the US$500 million CVL. Amini Gafaranga was, therefore, your right-hand man in MTN Rwanda. Amini Gafaranga was often part of your delegations on overseas trips. For example, Amini Gafaranga was a member of your delegation to Rwanda Day in London, UK, on May 18, 2013.
Mr. President, the Rwandan business community is tiny — and you know most of its members. It is highly unlikely that you do not know Apollo Gafaranga in his own right or via his brother Amini Gafaranga. Moreover, it has been five years since Karegeya was killed — a death you famously celebrated. If you did not know Apollo Gafaranga before the killing, you must have become acquainted with him after he executed a deed you considered a worthy act. Shortly after the murder, you did very little to distance yourself from the killing. This is what you said at a prayer breakfast on January 12, 2014:
“You can’t betray Rwanda and not get punished for it. Anyone, even those still alive, will reap the consequences. Anyone. It is a matter of time.”
Kagame celebrating Karegeya’s death.
In conclusion, Mr. President, you are obviously in a very peculiar position. South Africa is likely to issue arrest warrants to Appollo Gafaranga and his co-defendants, Samuel Niyoyita, Vianney Nshizirungu, and Alex Sugira. If you block the arrests, you will be seen as protecting, in particular, Apollo Gafaranga. If you allow the accused to face the law in South Africa, it will be your second round. The first round was the trial of the folks who attempted to assassinate the former military chief of staff, Kayumba Nyamwasa. You may recall that the judge, in that case, stated that he sent the wrong people to jail. The right people, according to the judge, were the Rwandan authorities that sent the hit squad to execute the deed — meaning you, Mr. President.
Good Luck Sir,
David Himbara
