Emmanuel Uwitonze, 40, was arrested Thursday, February 17, in Gahogo Cell, Nyamabuye Sector following information on his criminal dealings.
The Southern Region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that there are so far three known victims, whom Uwitonze allegedly fleeced of combined Frw980,000.
“Uwitonze was arrested from his home after fleecing three people; a 23-year-old Emmanuel Tuyishime whom he defrauded Rwf260,000 for a provisional license, Etienne Tuganijuru, 26, whom he allegedly defrauded Rwf360,000 for a definitive driving license and a 25-year-old Shadrack Niyomwungeri he conned Rwf360,000 for a definitive driving license,” SP Kanamugire explained.
He, however, cautioned the public against against taking shortcuts, which is also unlawful and punishable by law.
“The three men went to the Testing and Licensing (TL) department on Thursday, with short messages indicating that they had passed driving tests. There were, however, no records of them among those who passed, in the system neither could they explain where and when they did the tests,” SP Kanamugire said.
The trio, when interrogated, disclosed Emmanuel Uwitonze, whom they were identifying as a Police officer, as the one they gave money and reassured them that they names had been entered into the system of those who passed.
They then led Police officers to Uwitonze’s home in Muhanga where he was arrested and handed over to RIB for further investigations.
Article 174 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general, states that; any person who, by deception, obtains another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or who offers positive promises or who threatens of future misfortunes, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two (2) years and not more than three (3) years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
Article 279 of the same law states that any person, who without tittle usurps public, civil or military functions or poses the acts of one these functions or falsely attributes to himself/herself the quality of a public official commits an offence.
Upon conviction, the offender faces between two and three years in prison, and a fine of not more than Rwf300,000 but not more than Rwf500, 000.
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