It is considered one of the most dangerous Jobs in Burundi, that of a police officer. Hated by the population, over claims of brutality, accused of alleged killings they have become the targets of sporadic attacks across the capital.
It is May 12th 2015 the protests in Bujumbura are at fever pitch protesters are angry at President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term. Just after midday, A senior female police officer is separated from colleagues. The charged crowd attack her With sticks, stones and knives Some sexually assaulting her. They claim she shot one of them an allegation she vehemently denies. Under a hail of stones, police mount a rescue And take her to safety.
Eight months later, we meet superintendent of police Inabeza meddy kenthos as she arrives for work, she now has a desk job as she has not fully recovered from her injuries. Slowly Inabeza, relives the events of that fateful day.
“When removing the barriers, the crowd begun stoning us, we tried to protect ourselves with shields and withdrew, but the followed us. We were given the order to fire In the air to disperse them, but they kept moving forward pushing us back to our police post.” Inabeza Kenthos, Police officer, Bujumbura
She says the order to withdraw from the station was given That’s where she got separated from her colleagues
“They surrounded me, I decided not to fire. Then they jumped on me and begun beating me, there was nothing I could do. On My face, my back. After a while they would throw me in the air and throw me down asking why is this person not dying. They continued beating me, taking turns ” “one of them came with a knife, tried to stab me but some it did not get me. They put me down and started stoning me, on my head as you can see. Telling me nkurunziza was misleading us” Inabeza Kenthos, Police officer, Bujumbura
Up until now she has only seen still pictures of the incident I show her a video of what happened. It is clear the memories still haunt her Her boss says she is suffering from Psychological problems.
Inabeza was promoted by Prresident Pieere Nkurunzixa And a given a cash award The equivilantof one thousand dollars
But with donor countries withdrawing budgetary financial support The government is unable to provide her with The kind of medical help she requires. Being a police officer in Burundi today Is Pharos the most dangerous job in the country hated by the people, Accused of brutality Several have lost their lives in the line of duty But protesters will point out so have they Here on the streets, there is no love lost between the police and the population
