Three of the suspects were arrested on Monday, April 3, in Kabingo village of Nganzo cell, Muhanga sector in Muhanga District where they were found in possession of 74 metres of electricity wires, which were cut from the vandalized pylons.
Five others were arrested on Tuesday, April 4, in Ruyaga village, Mataba cell, Nyamiyaga sector in Gicumbi District with at least 60kgs of electricity wires also cut from pylons.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that residents of Ruyaga village raised concerns over power outage caused by people, who vandalize lines to steal wires.
“Some parts of Ruyaga village experienced power outage in the night of Monday, April 3, after unknown people cut electricity wires connecting the village. Police and residents worked together to identify those behind the criminal acts, five of whom were arrested the following morning on Tuesday at about 7a.m, as they loaded about 60kgs of electricity wires in a Dyna vehicle,” SP Ndayisenga said.
The vehicle was also impounded, he added. They were going to sell the stolen wires as scraps.
It was the same scenario in Muhanga District where the village of Kabingo was in total darkness in the night of Monday after the power line connecting the village vandalized and wires stolen.
“Three people suspected of cutting and stealing the wires were arrested later that night with 74 metres,” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said.
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 Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
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