Rwanda National Police

Police in Bugesera District has arrested Shabani Habimana, 36, and Selemani Ndagijimana, 47, for allegedly conducting illegal stone mining activities.

"Acting on a tip-off on the duo's unlawful stone quarrying activities, Police on Friday conducted the operation with local leaders in stone mining prohibited areas in Ruhehe Cell, Rweru Sector where the two were apprehended red-handed," Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.

He added that the residents of Ruhehe raised their concerns that Habimana extracts stones in their land.

Habimana was given a temporary document to extract stones in his land to construct his house but used it to mine stones in neighbours' land and other prohibited areas.

In clause 3 of article 4 of law No. 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 related to mining and quarry operations; quarry operations are only conducted by a person, who has been granted a license in accordance with the law.

Under article 30, an operational licence for a non-commercial quarry is issued by the Sector executive secretary; commercial small scale licence issued by the district mayor while an industrial quarry licence is issued by a competent authority.