Author: IGIHE

The suspect, Francois Kanyeshyamba, 43, was arrested on Wednesday in possession of 2kgs of Antelope meat and its skin. It was killed in Gabiro gazetted forest.

Kanyeshyamba admitted to series of poaching activities in the protected forest.

The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that the suspect was arrested following reliable information about poaching, which helped the Police to track the suspect.

“Following the received information on poaching activities in Gabiro forest, Police prepared an operation and arrested Kanyeshyamba red-handed selling the Antelope meat in Rwimbogo Sector, Rwikinira Cell,” CIP Twizeyimana said.

The spokesperson thanked people, who tipped off the police on the illegal hunting activities and called for a strong partnership to fight the acts.

“We call upon residents living near protected national reserves to desist from collaborating environmental degradation activities, including poaching, and collaborate with law enforcers to protect these animals,” he urged.

The article 58 of Law n°48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment states: “Any person, who hunts, sells, injures or kills a protected animal species and products thereof, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years and a fine not less than Rwf5 million and not more than Rwf7 million.

The warning comes in the wake of cases of illegal mining, farming and cutting of trees in Gishwati-Mukura National Park at a time when the government is restoring the forest.

On Tuesday, Police arrested 25 people, who were found in illegal mining activities in Gishwati-Mukura National Park. During the same operation conducted in partnership with local leaders, 13 cows were also found being grazed in the park.

The Mayor of Ngororero, Godfrey Ndayambaje and the District Police Commander (DPC) Superintendent of Police (SP) Alphonse Mayinga, spearheaded the operation which was conducted in the cells of Rutagara and Bugarura in Muhanda Sector.

Mayor Ndayambaje cautioned residents against any acts that degrade the national park.
“This forest is protected from mining, cutting of trees and farming activities. These acts contribute to environment degradation, which in one way or another has an effect on people’s health and the ecosystem, which we can’t allow,” said Ndayambaje.

He appealed to communities residing near the forestry reserves to take the lead to conserve them and report those who encroach on them.

The DPC, SP Mayinga warned of increased operations against such environmental degradation activities and appealed to the residents to report people, who cut trees, rear cattle and extract minerals in the protected national reserve park.
Rwanda suspended mining activities in Gishwati to first restore a nearly extinct forest.

Seven of the suspects were recently caught for violating the curfew and directed to drive their vehicles to the parking lot in Remera, but they disregarded the orders and instead decided to speed off.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera, who warned against “disrespecting Police officers and undermining Police orders,” said the escapees were located and arrested separately.

Three other suspects, including a cab driver, were arrested on Tuesday night after they lied to the Police in Nyarugunga that they were rushing to Nyamirambo to pick an expecting mother.

The cab driver identified as Jérémie Munyaneza had just picked a client from Special Economic Zone taking him to Nyamirambo when they were stopped at a Police roadblock in Nyarugunga at about 10 PM.

“Since the client was headed to Nyamirambo, I decided to lie to the Police that we were going to pick his wife, who was in labour so as to evade the arrest,” Munyaneza explained.

He added: “We were let go but we realized that we were being trailed by the Police. We hatched a plan; my client [François Nshimiyumukiza] called his neighbor, a woman, and convinced her to act as his wife and in labour.”

The would-be wife and expecting mother, however, decided to tell the truth after she was questioned.

“Nshimiyumukiza called and asked me to act as his expecting spouse; I didn’t know what he was up to. When Police stopped us, I first stuck to the plan but I later realized that what I was doing was not right, I decided to tell the truth,” Delphine Mukanirenganya said.

Meanwhile, another suspect is a driver at Kibuye hospital in Karongi District identified as Eric Nkundimana. Nkundimana had just dropped a nurse at the National Reference Laboratory in Kigali when he started transporting people during curfew hours.

He was also arrested in Nyamirambo at about 10:30 pm with three people on board, whom he was taking to their respective homes.

CP Kabera warned people, who misuse their privileges to undermine government directives.

“Whatever you do, use your position in the right way and the vehicle for the intended purpose, contrary to that you will be arrested,” CP Kabera warned.
He further cautioned people, who violate the curfew and decide to lie or subvert Police orders.

“First and foremost, we expect everyone to be home by 9 PM; beyond that and with no valid reason, you will be arrested for violating the curfew. However, when you are stopped, lying or subverting Police orders is also an offence and you will be held accountable,” CP Kabera warned.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the police spokesperson for City of Kigali, said that Ndagijimana was arrested in Gahanga Sector, Kagasa Cell where he was receiving Rwf20, 000 from the would-be victim.

“Ndagijimana is a bricklayer but he was lying that he is charged with inspecting houses in Gahanga Sector, to ensure compliance in line with the master plan and issued construction permit. So, he was telling people that he can get them construction permits but requiring them to pay a certain amount of money to assist them,” CIP Umutesi said.

She added: “One of the would-be victims, whom he asked to pay Rwf20, 000 for the alleged service, decided to report him to the law enforcement in Gahanga, and Ndagijimana was arrested red-handed receiving the money.”

“This is an act of fraud, which should be reported for such people to face arrest. We also urge the public to go through legal channels to acquire any service instead of taking criminal shortcuts leading to their imprisonment,” she advised.

Clause One of article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, defines fraud as deception, obtaining another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or offering positive promises or threats of future misfortunes.

Clause Two of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between two and three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million, upon conviction.

Those arrested are Fabien Ntibazirikana, 29, Felicien Habyarimana, 22, and Claude Dusabikize 26.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the trio was found mining in a closed coltan concession located in Kavumu Sector, Tetero Cell in Mizingo Village.

“They were arrested in an operation that was mainly targeting illegal miners, which is a common practice in the area. Police officers found them inside the concession mining coltan,” CIP Karekezi said.

“The concession was closed over standards and lack of legal documents, it’s in bad shape and these people were at a very high risk looking at where they were found; their lives were in danger with no protective gears nor life protection insurance,” he explained.

He warned the residents against such illegal and life-threatening activities, and urged them to protect lives by reporting illegal miners.

Article 3 of the ministerial regulations on fighting smuggling in mineral trading, forbids “importation of minerals into Rwanda without proper documents indicating their origin and the weight at origin, given by the right authorities.”

These minerals have to be with required trade documents, and to be certified and tagged by competent authorities.

Equally, article 4 provides that transportation of minerals outside mining licensed areas—concessions and permits perimeters—is only allowed, when the consignment shows the source mine, its value and when it has the right tag.

Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that; “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence commits an offence.”

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.

The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a licence.

The goods were recovered from three suspected thieves, who were pursued and arrested shortly after the night Saturday burglary.

The recovered good include four bags of rice, a flat television set, two 20-litre jerrycans of cooking oil, a DVD deck and home theatre.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, identified the suspected thieves as christophe Irakoze, 18, Jean Bosco Basabose, 19, and one only identified as Gabby, 21.

“In the night of Saturday, the victim, Lahab Mukanoheri, called the Police and local leaders reporting that unknown people had broken into his shop located in Kinamba village, Pera cell in Bugarama Sector and stole some of the goods,” CIP Karekezi said.

“The deployed police officers pursued the burglars that night and caught them with all the stolen items, which were returned to the owner and suspects handed over to RIB at Bugarama station,” he added.

Mukanoheri commended the Police’s quick response to recover her goods.

“It was about 2 AM, it was raining and the thieves entered my shop after vandalizing the window. I was sleeping in the next room when I heard people whispering outside.

When I checked the shop I found I had been robbed and I immediately called the Police and local leaders,” Mukanoheri said.

“I am happy that my goods have been recovered because this would have been a big loss in my business. I really thank our Police for the quick response,” she added.

Theft, under article 166 of the penal code, is punishable with an imprisonment of between one and two years, a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million, a community service of not more than six months or one of these penalties.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that individual responsiveness in respect of the set safety guidelines is a key factor in containing and defeating COVID-19.

“Make a choice that makes you safe from COVID-19. The choice is #NtabeAriNjye (I shouldn’t be the one),” CP Kabera said.

This literally means that I shouldn’t be the trouble causer in my family, at my place of work, in my shop or restaurant. It is my responsibility to ensure that I protect myself so well because if I don’t, then am exposing myself and the people around me in the danger of being attacked by Covid-19, the Spokesperson added.

”When you make such a responsive choice, you are also protecting members of your household, community, workmates, customers, fellow business people and passengers you are travelling within in the vehicles.” CP Kabera said.
The choices, he said, should be tailored on the government directives and recommended safety guidelines.

“Wearing the face-mask well by covering your mouth and nose, and at all times in public; ensuring at least social/physical distancing; prioritizing your movements to consider only those necessary; avoiding shaking hands or hug; washing hands regularly with clean water and soap or using hand sanitizer; respecting the acceptable movement time, and for motorcyclists, they should carry hand sanitizers and ensure that their clients wear their facemasks properly and a piece of cloth inside the helmet;

All these are choices you make that protects you and everyone around you, from catching or spreading Coronavirus but also a massive support to the government efforts to combat it.”

CP Kabera set a challenge for the public to share on social media platforms on choices they have made under the hashtag #NtabeAriNjye, to influence others on positive actions against the spread of COVID-19.