{{Police has arrested other six people in connection with the theft of electricity pylons and cables as the crackdown against the gang involved continues.}}
The Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) said the recent power blackouts especially in Kigali, was attributed to theft of electric pylons and cables along the power lines and stations in the country.
The suspects are identified as Damascene Kabera, Emmanuel Muhayimana, Prosper Gasana, Jean Pierre Gatete, Wellace Murwanashyaka and Narcisse Sikubwabo.
The suspects were paraded before journalists on April 22 at Remera Police Station in Gasabo District, where they are currently held.
They were arrested separately in different parts of Kigali recently. They include dealers in scraps operating at a place commonly known as Gakinjiro in Gisozi, Gasabo District, who used to buy the stolen electricity pylons.
The suspects were also found in possession of 247 pieces of pylons which are valued at Rwf3.7 million.
The arrest of the six follows the recent apprehension of two other people in Kimisagara sector, Nyarugenge district, who were caught with 30 metres of stolen electric cables.
Rwanda National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege condemned the act, and appealed to the business community to always purchase goods from credible dealers to avoid being culprits of businesses.
He added that these criminal acts have affected the power supply in the country and hinders the infrastructure development in the country.
Prosper Mubera Birori, Public Relations officer of EWSA said “this is a step towards bringing to justice all those involved and to recover the stolen electric equipment.”
“These are new electric pylons and EWSA does not sell new equipment,” he added dismissing claims that the recovered pieces of pylons were scraps that the utility body had dumped.
According to Mr. Mubera, the theft of electricity cables and pylons cost the government over Rwf114 million in terms of rehabilitation “minus the value of businesses affected as a result of power blackout.”
ACP Badege said the suspects “will be charged accordingly.”
According to the article 406 of the penal code, any person who willfully destroys or damages in any way, in all or a part, buildings, bridges, dams, water pipes, water pipe routes, roads, railways or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other buildings which do not belong to him/her, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of two to five years and a fine of twice to ten times the value of the damaged property.
{suspects and pieces of electric pylons they were arrested with, paraded at Remera police station yesterday. Their illigal actions cost the government over Rwf114 million in form of rehabilitation.}
Leave a Reply