Well-known journalist and government critic died in a car accident in Kigali, the country’s capital according to police
The Chronicles news site editor John Williams Ntwali passed away on Tuesday night when the motorbike taxi he had boarded was struck by a car in the Kimihurura neighborhood. The police informed his brother Emmanuel Masabo.
In order to confirm the identity of the body in a mortuary, Mr. Masabo claimed that he was contacted by the police on Thursday afternoon.
“When I arrived, they took me to the mortuary. I saw that it was him and I confirmed to them,” Mr Masabo told the BBC.
He added: “They did not provide with me more details… maybe they will later. I also had no energy to ask for more [at that moment].”
The Chronicles news site has also confirmed the death of the 43-year old journalist in a tweet. He had been the publication’s editor since 2021.
Mr Ntwali was critical of the government and the ruling party in his reports that focused on injustice and social issues facing Rwandans through his YouTube channel, Pax TV-Ireme news.
Government sympathisers criticised him of being “an extremist” and repeatedly attacked him on social media.
Journalists and friends have expressed shock over his death.
He is survived by a wife and a daughter.