Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP), on Tuesday, July 6, intercepted four vehicles in Ntunga, Mwurire Sector along Kigali-Rwamagana highway, which were smuggling people to different destinations in the Eastern Province.

The drivers were also taken into custody. They were showed to the media on Wednesday, July 7, at Rwamagana District Police Unit (DPU) in Kigabiro Sector.

Movements between City of Kigali and other provinces, and movements between districts across the country, are prohibited as part of the recent Cabinet directives to contain the pandemic of Covid-19.

RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the drivers had 14 people on board, who were being smuggled to different distinations in Rwamagana, Kayonza, Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts.

He added that the drivers had used the movement clearence permit contrary to the original intended purpose.

Joel Habarurema, a cab driver and one of the arrested drivers, said that he was intercepted by traffic Police officers in Ntunga.

Habarurema Joel YegoCabs driver apologises for the mistake and he urged others to obey Covid-19 directives

"I had secured a movement permit to transport a customer to Kayonza District, but the client suspended the journey. Since I had a movement clearence, I decided to transport other people going to Kayonza but I was intercepted in Ntunga. Each passenger was supposed to pay Frw7,000 for the fares," said Habarurema.

Gilbert Ruberintwari, another driver, said that he secured a movement permit to go home in Kayonza on July 6, but decided to transport four passengers on his way.

CP Kabera warned drivers against abusing the movement permit and using it in prohibited services.

"Some of the suspects are cab drivers while other had secured the movement permit for ginuine purposes but in the process decided to take advantage and use their vehicles to smuggle people out of Kigali to Rwamagana, Kayonza, Gatsibo and Nyagatare, which violates the Cabinet directives meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19 from one place to another," said CP Kabera.

He added that Police officers on road are there to enforce the directives and warned anyone, who attempts to undemine the government instructions and misusing the movement permit in particular.

"Everyone must adhere to the directives to save lives rather than asking for forgiveness after deliberate violations," CP Kabera said.

Vehicles impounded while smuggling people from Kigali to different destinations in the Eastern province