Rwanda National Police

Twenty-eight people were arrested on Friday, September 24, at a house located in Nyarurembo Village, Kabeza Cell, Kanombe Sector of Kicukiro District where they were holding a birthday party.

Police arrested the group, which had converged at the house of one Jean D?amour Mutangana, 25, at about 11pm. Mutangana is among those arrested.

The party had been organized to celebrate the birth of one Odo Nizeyimana alias Khalfan, 29, (also arrested) by his friends.

?We were arrested at about ten minutes after the start of the curfew (11pm), although we were at the time winding up for everyone to go back home," said Nizeyimana.

"It is the first time that I have been arrested and I feel ashamed for my wrongdoing to violate the government directives," he added.

Vanessa Umurisa, another violator, who was arrested with the group, said that at the time when Police arrived, some of them were in the house and others outside where they were engaged in various social activities.

Odo Nizeyimana alias Khalfan whose birth day was being celebrated contrary to the government directives against the spread of Covid-19

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said the violators disregarded the national Covid-19 directives.

?We are aware that there are people who disregard Covid-19 directives, especially in these last few days when the directives were reviewed. These people were holding a party at home without informing local leaders, they had not tested for Covid-19 but they also violated the curfew since they were caught at the time when everyone is supposed to be home," CP Kabera said.

"Such inappropriate behaviours can fuel the spread of Covid-19, and derail the national efforts to prevent the pandemic, but be warned that Police in partnership with local leaders and public, will know these violations and you will be arrested," he warned.

The violators were tested for Covid-19 at own cost and handed administrative fines, accordingly.

The spokeperson further warned against spreading false information especially on social media platforms on guidelines for one to reopen a bar.

?Bars are expected to resume with an authorization issued by a competent institution and hours of service are clear. We remind bar operators to follow the guidelines and their host customers in compliance with the issued protocols. Less than that, you will be penalised."