From 29th May to 04th June 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, four people (4) were caught in different parts of the country accused of electricity theft and other related electricity fraud issues.
On 29th May 2020, Nyandwi Landouard was caught red-handed stealing electricity in his residential house located in Ruhango District, Ruhango Sector, Buhoro Cell, Rwinkuba Village and was immediately detained in RIB Ruhango. The same day Mutungirehe J. Bosco located in Gasabo Dictrict, Kinyinya Sector also accused of stealing electricity and detained at RIB Kinyinya.
On 02nd June, 2020 On 02nd June, 2020 in Rulindo District, Bushoki sector, Giko Cell, Cyiri Village; our inspection team facilitated by security organs and local communities caught red-handed Nyiransabimana Evelyne stealing electricity in her residential house.
On 04th June, 2020 , in Rulindo District, Bushoki Sector, Giko Cell, Kigamba Village, Iyakaremye Elie & Iyakaremye Jean Baptist were inspected & found stealing electricity in their residential houses. Iyakaremye Elie was immediately apprehended and detained at RIB Bushoki while Iyakaremye Jean Baptiste is still wanted for those crimes.
All these fraudsters arrested this week accused of stealing electricity have spent many years without purchasing electricity but stealing it.
Nyandwi Landouard last purchase date of electricity was 09th January, 2019.
Mutungirehe J. Bosco last purchased electricity on 16th July, 2016.
Nyiransabimana Evelyne last purchased electricity on 29th September, 2015.
Iyakaremye Elie his last purchase date of electricity is 02nd July 2019 while Iyakaremye Jean Baptiste lastly purchased electricity on 26th June, 2016.
Even though all these fraudsters have spent a long time without purchasing electricity, they were using it fraudulently.
Wilson Karegyeya; the Director for Commercial Department 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.
Karegyeya says that many of these people were apprehended in facilitation of local communities.
He also said that announcements on radio and TV have been made to call the public to collaborate with REG and security organs in discovering and arresting these people stealing electricity and rewards are planned for those collaborating to apprehend fraudsters.
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.
Electricity theft is punishable whether stealing electricity connected to the grid or off-grid.
