Seven traders have been arrested separately for allegedly selling electrical materials stolen from vandalized electricity lines.
This followed operations conducted jointly by Rwanda National Police (RNP), Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA), and the National Energy Group (REG), in response to a series of vandalism on utility lines, especially electricity, water and telecommunication lines.
During operations in the City of Kigali and Rulindo District, RNP, RICA and REG recovered a combined 445 fuse devices and 295 meters of cable from the suspects’ shops. The suspects were paraded to the media.
The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, warned that all those connected to these criminal activities, will be arrested.
“As it has been explained, arresting vandals alone is not enough; we also have to pursue those who buy these items, and these operations are still ongoing,” ACP Rutikanga said.
“Two of the suspects were arrested at Zinia in Kicukiro District, four in Gisozi, Gasabo District while the other was arrested in Rulindo District. We will not tolerate people that destroy public infrastructure, endanger people’s lives, disrupt businesses and cause insecurity,” he added. He also warned against selling counterfeit or goods with no recorded origin.
Geoffrey Zawadi, Head of Partnerships department at REG, said that such vandalism hinders development. “The government spends a lot of money to build electricity infrastructure and spends a lot more when they are vandalized.”
The Head of the Inspection department at RICA, Joseph Mutabazi, urged traders of used electronic and electrical equipment to urgently ensure that they comply with the regulations, including proper records when buying used items.
Article 182 of the law determining offences and penalties, states that any person, who maliciously demolishes or damages in any way, in whole or in part of construction, building, bridge, dams, water pipes and their routes, railway rails or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other constructions which do not belong to him/her, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years with a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million. (End)