The suspects were arrested caught red-handed in Kabuba Village, Kanyana Cell of Rugendabari Sector.
Police spokesperson for the Southern Province, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi said that this is part of the ongoing operations to fight environmental related crimes including unlawful mining activities considered to be having ill-effects on the environment.
He identified the suspects as Jean Bosco Kwizera, 26, Boniface Ndayishimiye, 35, and Desire Habarurema, 38, all currently detained at Mushishiro Police station.
“First, they were mining illegally but also washing the minerals in wells, which contaminates the waters,” IP Kayigi said.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with other institutions, are currently in joint efforts to combat all activities, especially illegal mining, which contaminate water bodies.
In August this year, six people were arrested in Karongi District after they were found mining illegally.
Earlier in June, 30 people were also arrested in Gatsibo District over the same crime.
Early this month, other five people were arrested in Ngororero District over illegal dealings in mineral business.
Illegal mining is punishable under article 438 of the penal code, which attracts a jail term of one year in prison and a fine of Rwf10 million, if convicted.
“Operations are continuous in all District Police Units across the country to conserve the environment by fighting all environmental degradation acts, and mining which is one of them. There are those licensed mining firms that do not adhere to the environmental standards; unauthorized individuals who engage in mining especially at night which is also deadly, and even unlicensed people, who buy minerals from concessions illegally,” IP Kayigi said.
Article 1 of the Ministerial Regulations No001/Minifom/2011 relating to fighting smuggling in mineral trading stipulates in part that nobody is allowed to purchase or sell minerals without commercial registration.
Article 4 of the same instrument indicates that transportation of minerals outside mining licensed areas (concessions and permits perimeters) is only allowed, when the consignment shows the source, its value and when it has the right tag.
It is also said that some licensed mining companies, wash their minerals in wells and rivers contaminating the waters.
Worse still, illegal mining activities have in some occasions resulted into disasters and loss of lives, which IP Kayigi said, the operations are designed to also prevent.
{{Source:RNP News}}
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