SAfrican police probe murder attempt on exiled Rwandan general; wife blames Rwandan president

SAfrica probes attempt on exiled Rwandan general

JOHANNESBURG — South African police are investigating a case of attempted murder in the shooting in Johannesburg of an exiled Rwandan general who is accused of terrorism in his homeland.

Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, a national police spokesman, refused to comment Sunday on allegations from Lt. General Kayumba Nyamwasa’s wife that Rwandan President Paul Kagame was behind Saturday’s shooting.

“We will determine from the investigation what was the motive,” Mariemuthoo said. “We are investigating a case of attempted murder.”

In a statement in Rwanda, foreign minister Louise Mushikiwabo said her government was not involved.

“We learned the news through the media, and have no confirmation or details of the incident,” Mushikiwabo said. “The government of Rwanda does not condone violence, and we wish the family strength and serenity. We trust in the ability of South African authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly.”

Rosette Nyamwasa, interviewed Saturday at a hospital in Johannesburg, said she and her husband were returning from shopping to the upscale gated community where they live in northern Johannesburg when a lone gunman fired on him. She said her husband was shot in the stomach and doctors tell her he will make a full recovery. The gunman escaped.

Rosette Nyamwasa said she has no proof, but suspected politics was the motive because the gunman did not try to rob her and her husband. She said Kagame has publicly threatened her family.

“He must be behind it,” she said. “He wants us dead.”

Nyamwasa and Kagame were once allied, but have fallen out, reportedly because Kagame sees his former military chief as a political rival.

The Rwandan government has linked Nyamwasa, who came to South Africa earlier this year, to three grenade attacks in Rwanda’s capital Feb. 19. The attacks in central Kigali killed one person and injured 30.

The Rwandan government has accused Nyamwasa of trying to destabilize Rwanda — while he was in the country, and while he was in India, where he recently served as Rwanda’s ambassador.

South African police said earlier this year they had not arrested Nyamwasa because they do not have an extradition treaty with Rwanda.