The Centre mainly receives people battling drug abuse, thieves and prostitutes, before taking them through intensive rehabilitation provided by a team of experts.
On 28th June, 36 delinquents were released in irregular ways that goes against Transit Centre’s laws, while on 18th August, 32 escaped, as confirmed by the District Officials.
Following the events, on Tuesday, Northern Province Officials demanded explanations from the district officials, the Committee in charge of people who are being helped by the Transit Centre, and others involved in the Transit Centre’s management, on the issue.
Speaking to IGIHE, Burera District Mayor, Florence Uwambajemariya, said that investigations on the issue have been launched.
“The 36 people were released illegally since the committee in charge of allowing their release was not there at the time. As for those who escaped, we are investigating the issue and hold the responsible individuals accountable,” Uwambajemariya told IGIHE.
Uwambajemariya added that the 32 who were illegally released include delinquents, drug addicts, and petty thieves among others admitting that there might have been negligence among the responsible officials. She assured residents that it would not occur again.
Speaking to IGIHE, Northern Province’s Governor, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, reproached the neglect and added that the province officials were to follow-up the case.
“This sort of negligence of duty should not be tolerated. People admitted in the Transit Centre have character dents that need to be rehabilitated and released just like that, without any sort of protection,” Gatabazi said.
“We are questioning those who were supposed to guard them because it looks like corruption might have been involved, but we are still investigating,’’
He added that if it becomes apparent that some officials or guards from the Transit Centre received bribes, they will be punished.
Locals from Nemba sector said that they could not understand how delinquents who threatened their safety could be released just like that, and for others to escape in a place that is said to be highly-guarded.
Habiremye Thomas, a local, told IGIHE that it was confusing how they could have escaped in a highly guarded place. He suspected that they were helped to escape.
According to District Officials, out of the 32 who escaped, 13 were recaptured while the rest are still at large.
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