Rwanda National Police

Police in Kayonza District, on Sunday, January 3, arrested three suspected illegal mineral dealers with 28kgs of cassiterite mineral.

Tharcisse Habineza, 42, Jean Bosco Ntawuhoranamahoro, 21, and Anualitte Mukansanga, 30, were arrested in Murama Sector, Munyetongo Cell in Gahengeri Village in an operation conducted in partnership with grassroots leaders.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region said that the trio allegedly stole the minerals in a cassiterite concession located in Rwinkwavu Sector.

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"Scores of illegal miners, traders and thieves have been arrested in the recent past in Rwinkwavu and Murama sectors.

In the same way, following information that these three suspects had stolen minerals from the concession, Police and local leaders worked together to locate and arrest them," CIP Twizeyimana said.

The suspects were found in the home of Mukansanga where they were at the time purifying raw cassiterite.

The three suspects, CIP Twizeyimana said, belong to a local group that calls itself imparata and mainly engages in stealing minerals from concessions selling them to illegal mineral traders.

At times, the group turn violent when stealing minerals, assaulting guards at concessions.

"Security organs and local leaders have increased operations against imparata and illegal mineral dealers in general.

Successful operations are largely facilitated by information provided by local residents on specific individuals involved."

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The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Rwinkwavu station.

Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that; “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence commits an offence.”

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.    

The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.