The visiting Deputy Inspector General of Zambia Police Service (ZPS), Doris Nayame Chibombe, on Thursday, February 10, toured various Rwanda National Police (RNP) facilities and operational activities in the Western region.
DIGP Nayame and her delegation are in Rwanda since Sunday for a six-day study visit, which is guided by the existing cross-border cooperation between RNP and ZPS.
In the Western province, she was received by the Regional Police Commander (RPC), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Edmond Kalisa, who briefed her on the RNP operational activities and the community policing and development programmes in the region.
“This regional being on the borderline, RNP operations focus on fighting and preventing drug traffickers and smugglers. Other crimes in the region include assault and defilement,” ACP Kalisa said.
“The RNP policing strategy is largely built on community-oriented approach. So, we work with other security organs, local government entities and the public to fight and prevent crimes.
There are severe laws against smuggling and drug trafficking and it is the responsibility of Rwanda National Police to enforce them,” he added.
Drugs
The Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization classifies cannabis alongside cocaine and heroin as a “very severe narcotics.”
The law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, especially in its article 263, provides an imprisonment of between 20 years and life, for anyone convicted for very severe narcotic drugs and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.
Tax fraud
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six (6) months and two (2) years.”
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
The vehicle used in fraud and smuggling, it is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5000.
DIGP Nayame and her delegation also visited various RNP facilities including hostels, mess as well as operational activities at La Corniche One Stop Border Post with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where they witnessed Rwanda’s IT systems used at the border.
They also visited the Brasserie brewery plant where they were explained on how private security personnel operate.
“We have witnessed how police operates in this region to fight cross-border crimes, how Police works with other institutions and the public to fight cross-border crimes like smuggling and narcotic drugs, and modern facilities and equipment, which facilitate officers to effectively executive their policing duties,” DIGP Nayame said.(End)