Police in Dowa have arrested 11 Burundian nationals for allegedly fighting over ownership of the church.

The suspects have been charged with the offence of affray.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon of December 25, 2021, at Jesus Christ Witness Pentecostal Church within Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa.

It is alleged that two pastors of the church are fighting for the ownership of the church on who is the founder and they have been at loggerheads for some time.

According to Sub Inspector Gladson M’bumpha, on Saturday afternoon both pastors met at the church for prayers and in course of this, one of the pastors grabbed a collar of the other, resulting in a serious fight.

It is also alleged that the church has two rival camps which prompted some other church members to join the fight resulting in the injury of the concerned pastor.

“Upon receipt of the matter, police rushed to the scene and arrested 11 members of the church. The suspects have been identified as Subimana Luwis, 56, Ndikuliyo Yusuf, 39, Itsapayo Innocent, 40, Ngendakumana Theodore, 19, Bigirimana Osikali, 41, Shimilimana Meriana, 38, Nikonkuru Siwema, 17, Nyisu Emelive, 16, Devine Irakoze, 18, Deborah Ntakirutimana, 22 and Niyomzima Jeanine, 32, all Burundian nationals from Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Among 11 suspects, five are males and six are females,” said M’bumpha.

Meanwhile, police are also expected to meet UNHCR officials to map the way forward on the case as it is on record that UNHCR is aware of the case.