From 07th October to 07th November, 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, nine (9) people were caught across the country accused of stealing electricity.
The detained people are owners of motels, bars, milling machines and so on.
On 07th November, 2019 NDAHIMANA Abuba who was impersonating a REG staff to connect to the grid illegally households in Nyagatare district, was caught and immediately handed to RIB for investigation. The same date KAVAMAHANGA Jean d'Amour a resident of Kabukuba cell, Juru sector, in Bugesera District was caught stealing electricity in his milling machine.
On 28thOctober, 2019 MUKWIYE Bernard was caught red-handed using fraudulent electricity in his tailoring business "Sun Hill Ltd" located in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District.
On 25th October, in Nyabihu District, a man was caught red handed stealing electricity at his house located in Village Kora Cell, Bigogwe Sector. He has been stealing electricity since 2016. He is now detained at Kora RIB station for further investigation.
On 23rd October another man was caught red handed stealing electricity, in Gakenke District.
On 15th October, in Musanze District, two men were caught doing illegal connections in Gacaca Sector, Kabirizi Cell. They are now detained at MuhozaRIB station.
The same date Annick Mugisha; owner of Urwuri Motel located in Huye Sector, Huye District was caught stealing electricity.
On 14th October, MBARUSHIMANA Claude was caught red-handed using fraudulent electricity in his mini-bar, "BuvetteItuze" located in Gasabo District, Gatsata Sector.
All these 9suspects have been arrested and their cases are being handled by RIBto respond to crimes committed.
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.
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.
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.
