12
Mar

This Wednesday 11th March, 2020 in regular inspections to combat electricity theft conducted by Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG) in collaboration with Rwanda Investigation Bureau, Rwanda National Police and local communities, six people  (6) people were caught in different villages of Gacaca Sector, Musanze District accused of electricity fraud whereby they swindle local communities to connect them to the grid in exchange of money. 

These people were working under a ghost company called "Chris Energy Ltd" of NZIYONSENGA Christophe.

NZIYOSENGA was not around during the time of the inspections and was not apprehended but he is being wanted by Rwanda Investigation Bureau for those crimes.

Those who were caught are UWASE Cedrick (24 yrs), RUKUNDO Sylvain (23 yrs)

IRADUKUNDA Olive (28 yrs), TWAGIRIMANA Eric (24 yrs), IYADUHAYE Leontine (25 yrs),NKURUNZIZA Innocent (24 yrs) and they are all detained at RIB Muhoza.

Nkubito Stanley; the head for energy efficiency and revenue protection at EUCL-REG condemns the act of stealing electricity or any other related fraudulent act 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.

Nkubito says that many of these people were apprehended in facilitation 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.

Theft of electricity is a crime and is punishable by fines and/or incarceration.

Theft of electricity is punishable 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.