On 15th July, 2019, in regular electricity anti-theft inspections conducted by Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG) in partnership with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and Rwanda National Police and local communities, two young men namely Habimana Sylvain and Nshimiyimana Obed were arrested in Nyamugari cell, Gatsata sector, Gasabo district accused of doing illegal electrical connections to their welding workshop located in Gatsata. They are now all detained at RIB Gatsata branch. The suspects were revealed to the media on 15th July, 2019.
Habimana denies that he connected the welding workshop illegally saying that his employee Nshimiyimana Obed is the one who did the illegal connection while he was not around working in Nzove for other businesses. He asks for forgiveness even if he is responsible of employing someone who did unlawful practices.
Nshimiyimana also denies that he is the one who connected the welding workshop illegally.
Habimana Marcel, the Manager of REG Branch in Jabana while addressing the media said that these suspects will be brought to books of accounts for their crimes committed.
Habimana condemned the act and called upon citizens to distance themselves from stealing electricity because heavy sanctions are imposed to those caught red-handed in those mal-practices.
He further said that stealing electricity hinders the development of the country.
“REG in partnership with security organs had taken measures to curb electricity theft across the country because the issue affects not only REG but also the country in general and affects the national development goals, these people were apprehended with the facilitation from the local population, and our informers located in these surroundings, we urge you to sustain our infrastructure for national development” disclosed Habimana.
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 (2018) revealed that electricity stolen was evaluated at around 1.9 billion Frw.
Theft of electricity is the criminal practice of stealing electrical power. It 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.
