20
Dec

From 16th to 19th December, 2019 in regular campaigns to combat electricity theft conducted by Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG) in collaboration with Rwanda Investigation Bureau, Rwanda National Police and local communities, three(3) people were caught across the country accused of acts related to stealing electricity. 

On 18th December, 2019 Kanyange Marie Rose was caught in Kigarama Village, Bugarama Cell, Shyorongi Sector, Rulindo Disctrict accused of stealing electricity in her living house. After being apprehended the old lady said that she did it facilitated by a relative technician from her hood who is still being wanted for those crimes.

On 17th December, 2019 in Rubavu District, Kanama sector, Kanyefurwe cell, Maniragaba Fidel was caught stealing electricity in his own house, connecting his house without a meter.

On 16th December, 2019 a man called NTAKIRUTIMANA Jean D'Amour was caught red-handed building an illegal line in Rurenge Cell, Mwogo sector, Bugesera District.

All those suspects caught are detained in RIB Custodies from their respective Sectors.

Nkubito Stanley; the head for energy efficiency and revenue protection at EUCL-REG condemns the act of stealing electricity and says that REG will not tolerate such crimes and measures to curb electricity theft have been reinforced.

He further says that electricity theft hinders the development of the country and may cause incidents such as electrocution and fire outbreaks. 

Nkubito says that many of these people were apprehended  with a help of local communities and announcements have been made to call the public to collaborate with REG and security organs in demonstrating these people stealing electricity.

Since December, 2018 REG is conducting regular similar inspections to detect and leverage electricity theft to ensure that the suspects are caught and brought to justice.

Statistics show that Commercial electricity losses are still high with a percentage of around 6.5 of the electricity generated in the country and out of which a big percentage emanates from electricity theft.

Findings from last year revealed that electricity stolen was evaluated at around 1.9 billion Frw.

Theft of electricity is a punishable crime by the law N°52/2018 of 13/08/2018 modifying Law Nº21/2011 of 23/06/2011 governing electricity in Rwanda as modified to date.