RPA 0416/15/HC/NYA
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II. ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUE ARISING IN THE CASE
Whether HABINSHUTI Jean Claude's allegations of being wrongly convicted are true
[4] The purpose of HABINSHUTI Jean Claude's appeal was to prove that he had been
convicted of a crime he did not commit, that MUKESHIMANA Laetitia 's mother is his
sister, and that they already had land disputes, which he suspects is the real reason of the
accusation. He also said that he had recently beaten MUKESHIMANA Laetitia for her
refusal to work in a field of beans. He admits that he went with MUKESHIMANA to the
well, but he denies raping her, and he says that those at the well can confirm it.
5] The Prosecution, represented by PN UWIZEYE Jean Marie, explained that there was
various evidence against HABINSHUTI Jean Claude. The first is that his sister, who is
also the mother of the victim, is accusing him. Various witnesses testified against him and
the medical report confirmed it. He added that HABINSHUTI Jean Claude should have
been given a heavy sentence for committing an abhorrent act of raping his nephew. The
Prosecution submits that the decision of the Muhanga High Court should be upheld
because his appeal case does not raise any new argument.
[6] The High Court considered the appeal of HABINSHUTI Jean Claude based on Article
3 of Law n ° 15/2004 of 12/06/2004 on Evidence in Trial and its Production which states
that each party must prove the truth of his/her allegation.
[7] The High Court notes that the main purpose of HABINSHUTI Jean Claude's appeal
was to try to prove that he had been convicted for a crime he did not commit. His
submissions include that he has land disputes with the child's mother, who is also his
sister. He also said that he had recently beaten MUKESHIMANA Laetitia for her refusal
to work in a field of beans, which he suspects to be the real reason behind her accusation
against him. His allegations must be supported by evidence to be considered as facts,
because it is not enough to just utter them. Because he has not corroborated them with
evidence, his statements cannot be taken as true.
[8] The Court also notes that statements of witnesses GASANA Jean, MUKANYONGA
Drocela and NYIRIMANA Emmanuel, the report of the Zivu Cell administration and the
report of the doctor who examined MUKESHIMANA Laetitia, all concur that
MUHESHIMANA was raped by HABINSHUTI Jean Claude. None of these proofs was
challenged by the defendant, nor did he prove that their content is untrue. The content of
these evidence should therefore continue to be relied upon because it has not been
challenged.
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