MALAWI: GIRAMATA CONFIRMED FOR KILLING HER FORMER HUSBAND EMILE
On December 18, 2025, the RILONGWE High Court read the verdict of a case presided over by Judge HONNOLABLE JUSTICE KALEMBA. It is a case that has been going on for more than 3 years and is being tried against a Rwandan woman with Malawian citizenship, GIRAMATA GENTILE, and MUNYAGAJU RAFIKI, both of whom are accused of participating in the death of a man named EMILE HABIMANA, GIRAMATA’s former husband. It is a story that Steenta newspaper followed from beginning to end. Many Rwandans were curious to know how the case would end. GIRAMATA, in addition to killing her husband, has also been implicated in activities that work with the Rwandan government in activities that hunt and disrupt peace. Rwandans who oppose the Rwandan government have fled these activities. She did this in the country of ZIMBABWE until the government of that country found out about it and expelled her from ZIMBABWE territory and continued these activities in MALAWI where she worked closely with the Rwandan. The person who calls himself MASOMPENYA (MUNYENTWARI) was also brought to trial along with other Rwandans, including the one who is believed to have fathered one of his children. These individuals played a role in the escape of refugees, especially those with resources, to the extent that many of them joined forces and even betrayed their brothers in order to protect their property.
Intimidating refugees so they surrendered. Intimidating refugees GIRAMATA Giramata was also assisted by some of the staff of the Rwandan embassy operating in ZAMBIA, which is also overseeing MALAWI. This very aggressive behavior and intimidating Rwandans and making them feel helpless is what made GIRAMATA so famous. After the late EMILE died, EMILE’s family immediately stood up and did not mince words, accusing GIRAMATA of killing their brother, especially since GIRAMATA had recently imprisoned SEBUKWE and his mother-in-law. After a long time, the court heard various witnesses who accused GIRAMATA of being involved in EMILE’s death. TOMORROW, 18TH DECEMBER 2025, THE HONNOLABLE JUSTICE KALEMBA, after reading various testimonies given by various people and reading the supporting legal provisions, ruled that GIRAMATA and MUNYAGAJU are guilty of killing EMILE and thirty days have been given for the verdicts to be read.
Yesterday, GIRAMATA was seen dressed as a lady from the Seventh-day Adventist Church and carrying a book of hymns.
When he was standing in front of Judge GIRAMATA, who is usually known for his confrontations and assertiveness, he was scared and even coughed. His friend RAFIKI was passing by and smiled at some of those who had come to support them, including leaders of the DIASPORA in MALAWI and one of those suspected to be an employee of the Rwandan embassy. Another thing is that this MUNYAGAJU came to court by a prison ambulance, apparently he was sick.
What does the prosecution say?
The representative of the prosecution in an interview with INTAMBWE NEWSPAPER said that they are very happy that justice has been served to those who killed their brother and that they have received justice, saying that they will continue to pursue the case until they are punished.
GIRAMATA’s lawyer was not present in court, only RAFIKI’s lawyer who was present in court refused to speak to the press.
HOW DID NYAKWIGENDERA’S FAMILY RECEIVE IT?
The Step newspaper spoke to Mr. NIYIBIZI MICHELE, EMILE’s uncle who lives in Europe. The Step newspaper asked him how they as a family received the court’s decision. Mr. NIYIBIZI responded in these words; As a family, we received it very well. In fact, we knew without a doubt that GIRAMATA was the one who killed us, but we waited for help. Now we are very happy with the punishment they will give him. We have no questions about it. The important thing is that we got justice. We did not seek a lawyer because we believed that the evidence available would defend itself.
When asked about the other assets, BWANA NIYIBIZI told the newspaper Step that GIRAMATA has already sold many of his properties, including those belonging to EMILE, which they had divided up, saying that he sold them all while in prison. NIYIBIZI said that what they are following up on is to see if he is helping the children because the children are theirs, they are part of the family. He took the opportunity to fully appreciate the way INTAMBWE newspaper has followed up on this case from beginning to end.
Written by: Obed Ndahayo (son of a priest)