{Rwanda National Police has inaugurated a special ‘Anti -corruption and Public Fund Embezzlement Unit’ that will handle all cases related to the crimes.}
The Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye officiated the launch of the unit at the RNP headquarters in Kacyiru on July 16.
The new unit will be operating under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The launch of the anti graft special unit also kicked off a one day workshop on anti corruption that brought together police officers dealing with corruption operating across the country.
“Rwanda National Police has established a specialized Unit to deal with this vice and this is a very welcome development. I commend the Police for the continued venture into out side box in order to do their job more efficiently, effectively and with the people,” said Minister Busingye.
He further pointed out that, “While we still have people willing to corrupt or be corrupted, the fight with laws and deterrent punishment is still with us.”
“In this particular unit I can assure you that you will receive many volunteer citizens…happy to work with you because this particular fight is also their fight as it touches their livelihoods and their future,” he observed.
Minister Busingye hinted on using a multisectoral approach in countering corruption, saying that with the help of units in the Prosecution and the Courts, a strong chain and institutional framework that instils in citizens the sense of hatred for corruption, can be built.
“Corrupt people should not find the space to parade ill-gotten wealth and receive praise. The addition of this Unit to the chain therefore is very welcome news and I call upon all stakeholders to support the unit as much as possible. The Ministry of Justice will be open and ready to render any support within its boundaries,” Busingye said.
Rwanda remains the least corrupt country among the five East African countries and fifth on the continent, according to Transparency International Corruption Perception Index- 2014(CPI).
The report shows that Rwanda has managed and still remains the least corrupt country in Africa in fifth place after Botswana, Cape Verde, Seychelles and Mauritius
The Minister reminded officers that corruption is one of the “worst offenses that can be committed against a people.”
“It is a silent disabler, robber, impoverisher and ultimately a killer. It is a cancer that quietly,but later openly, steals away people’s lives. Corruption and embezzlement of public funds are directly linked to, if not causes of, retarded development, poor health, failed infrastructure, incurable red tape, loss of public confidence in state institutions and moral fabric decay,” he said.
Busingye pointed out that the moral compass, the energy, determination, boldness and willpower to “stand up to and not give in or up on fighting against corruption” derives from HE President Paul Kagame the president of the Republic of Rwanda”who stands against injustice, corruption, embezzlement and abuse of office. We all of us strive to achieve this objective”
In curbing corruption and embezzlement, the Minister said, there is need to build systems and deterrent measures that make the risk of corruption and embezzlement of public funds so high, expensive and hazardous that no one wants to underwrite it.
“We need to send a clear message to those still risking that they will not only be defeated but will be outlasted as well. Our systems need to press on the twin vices so hard that those who assume the risk can only be citizens on the fringe, with no culture, no values, no self-worth, no dignity and generally made a net loss from our education system,” he said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, said RNP worked with several partners including the private sector in establishing the unit to ensure public funds are fully protected.
He pointed out that although the Global Competitiveness and the World Economic Forum reports have placed Rwanda among nations that are least corrupt, the country still experience some cases of corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
“We have witnessed corruption in some social protection programmes like One Cow Per family (Gir’inka), Universal Health Insurance Scheme (Mutuelle de Sante) agricultural programmes, service sector among other,” said IGP Gasana.
He further pointed out that in the past six months, RNP registered 252 cases of corruption, while cases of embezzlement were 126.
“We can’t succeed in fighting these crimes if the culprits are not brought to justice. To achieve this, there must be synergy among all stakeholders in public and private sectors. Apart from the corruption and public embezzlement unit, other strategies police has put in place to deal with corruption related matters include the internal anti-corruption unit that follows up corruption-related cases and service delivery within RNP,” he said.
As a result, since 2010 to date, Police has dismissed 400 police officers for graft and other related offenses.
“Police has since signed partnership agreements with the Office of Ombudsman, Rwanda Governance Board and all the 30 districts. We conduct many anti-corruption campaigns in the country with the assistance of 150,000 members of community policing committees. We have over 70 ambassadors in crime prevention and many anti-crime clubs in schools,” IGP Gasana said.
He went on to add that jointness is always necessary to fight these crimes, and this can only be achieved through constant exchange of information.
“The crime trend keep increasing and evolving due to several reasons including technology. We need high level skills like scientific evidence to deal and handle these crimes.”
He added that; “We are opening a new chapter in responding to these crimes. We need joint trainings and cooperation in handling these crimes. We also need to put much focus on research and development. Corruption is a threat to development, it should not delay us and we should not fail in fighting it.”
During the workshop, officials delivered lectures on how to prevent and counter corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Participants to the workshop came up with 14 strong resolution s that will facilitate the stakeholders to achieve this much required mission.
The event was also graced by the Auditor General Obadiah Biraro, chairperson of National Human Rights commission, Madeleine Nirere, CG RRA Richard Tushabe, Prosecutor General, Richard Mihumuza, Deputy Ombudsman Clement Musangabatware, CEO -RGB Prof. Anastase Shyaka, vice chairperson of PAC Theoneste Karenzi and a representative of Transparency Rwanda.
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