On 16th October, 2019 in regular campaigns to combat electricity theft conducted by Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG) in collaboration with Security organs and local communities, three people were caught in Musanze and Gasabo accused of stealing electricity and/or acts related to electricity fraudulent.
Two men were caught doing illegal connections in Musanze District, Gacaca Sector, Kabirizi Cell, they were automatically arrested and are detained at Muhoza RIB station to answer to crimes accused of committing. Again on 16th October, 2019 MBARUSHIMANA Claude was caught red-handed using fraudulent electricity in his mini-bar, "Buvette Ituze" located in Gasabo, Gatsata Sector, Nyamugari Cell, Akarubimbura village. The suspect was handed to RIB Gatsata Station.
Nsabimana Joel Elvis; REG Branch Manager in Musanze district said that they caught the suspect facilitated by the local residents and thanked their support.
He further said that some of the electricity theft suspects caught before have been judged and sentenced.
“Recently a man TWIRINGIYUMUKIZA Emmanuel was caught in acts related to stealing electricity, he was constructing an illegal electrical line, he was thereafter arrested and detained, his case was brought to caught of law. This man has been sentenced to three years in prison for those acts committed.”
Nsabimana urges the population to distance themselves from stealing electricity.
Nkubito Stanley; the head for energy efficiency and revenue protection at EUCL-REG also condemns the act of stealing electricity and says that REG will not tolerate such crimes which hinders the development of the country.
Nkubito calls 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. Such connections are not only against the law but also can cause fatal accidents.
Theft of electricity 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
