Francine Gahimbare, a 40-year-old mother of three from Bujumbura, has been released from prison after spending a traumatising one year and five months behind bars! Although she was initially sentenced to one year, her release was delayed until the intervention of our partner, Restoration Burundi (RESTOBU).
Francine’s imprisonment stemmed from an accusation of abuse on a neighbour’s child at school. However, behind the accusation was a disturbing story, rooted in community hostility. At the time, Francine’s daughter was in Grade 4 and had a close friend from the local community. The young girls were classmates and often visited each other’s homes. One day, Francine overheard the friend telling her daughter about sexual matters. Concerned that they were too young for such discussions, and knowing that the friend’s older sister had become pregnant, Francine warned the girl to stop – making it clear that if the behaviour continued, the girl would no longer be welcome in their home.
Francine thought the issue was resolved, but there was trouble brewing. One evening, when returning from work, she was stopped by a woman who invited her into a bar. Inside, another woman, whom Francine later learned was the mother of her daughter’s friend, suddenly attacked her with a bottle, shouting, “The witch is coming!” Others in the bar restrained the attacker and came to Francine’s defence.
After that incident, the girls’ friendship deteriorated. The children began insulting each other, one calling the other’s mother a witch, the other retaliating with insults of her own. Tensions spilled into the community, and Francine’s daughter became a target. On one occasion, a group of 11 children dragged her along the roadside. Francine appealed to the local neighbourhood chief for help, but nothing changed. At school, a group of children, led by her former friend, cornered and assaulted her during a break while teachers were in a meeting. Her school uniform was torn, but the headmaster intervened and restored order at the school.
The situation escalated in July 2023, the day school results were announced. Francine passed by the school and saw her daughter’s former friend. She gently told the girl that they should stop using such hurtful language and went on her way. Moments later, the wife of the neighbourhood chief caught up with her and insisted she return to the school, saying that Patricia* wanted to speak with her. Francine had previously clashed with Pascasie, a member of the school staff, during local elections. Francine had been appointed to oversee the process, and when Patricia and others demanded that she change the results, she refused. Ever since, there had been an air of tension between them.
Back at the school, Patricia accused Francine of beating the child. Francine responded, “You were there. Did you see me hit her? All I did was speak to her, as any mother would.” Patricia replied, “Whether you did or not, we’ve found a reason to go after you. You’re too proud because of your job. We’ll make sure you lose everything.”
Soon after, Francine was slandered in an online news outlet, which claimed she intimidated her neighbours and ignored police summons, none of which was true. Just days later, she received her first official summons. At the police station, she explained that she had never been notified previously. Her accusers failed to appear, not once, but three times. The case was eventually referred directly to the Muha commune prosecutor.
While at work, Francine was approached by policemen holding an arrest warrant. She was taken straight to the prosecutor. Before being heard, the mother of her daughter’s friend entered the prosecutor’s office with an envelope, which Francine believes to be a bribe. When Francine was called in, the prosecutor refused to listen and ordered her imprisonment.
“One of the police officers told me, ‘We’re sorry, madam. You’ve been set up. This is the work of Patricia, the neighbourhood chief, and the zone chief. The prosecutor has been bribed.’ When I came out, a taxi was already waiting to take me to prison.”
At trial, her accusers missed two hearings, showing up only at the third. This time, armed with a photograph of a child with swollen cheeks, claiming it was the result of Francine’s assault. Francine insisted they bring the actual child to court so the judge could see the truth, but her request was denied. Even the headmaster testified that no such incident had occurred at school, but they would not listen. Francine was sentenced to one year in prison and fined 700,000 BIF (£185/$240)
Although she served the full year sentence, efforts were made to keep her in prison even longer. Fortunately, she was among those brought to the attention of RESTOBU as someone needing urgent legal assistance.
As a trained lawyer, RESTOBU Leader Gratien wanted to help people understand their legal rights. A few years ago he began a radio programme called Amategeko Araturaba, which means “The Law Concerns Us.” It taught people about the law and gave a voice to those in prison who had been unlawfully imprisoned.
“We started receiving phone calls from prisoners, asking us to help with their cases,” Gratien says. “That’s how our prison ministry began.” In the past six months, with the help of prosecutors and lawyers, RESTOBU has managed to free over 50 people who had been wrongly imprisoned.
When they connected with Francine, and showed due diligence surrounding her case, the prison could not hold Francine any longer. At last, she was released!
“I’m so grateful to be free,” she said. “This experience has traumatised me. My children were left like orphans, and my husband like a widower. I thank Restoration Burundi for helping me leave prison. May God bless them. Please continue the good work you’re doing.”
