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Rwanda National Police

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Dealers in used electronics commit to work with Police against related crimes

Dealers in used electrical and electronic equipment have welcomed the government's decision to establish regulations governing their business and committed to work with Rwanda National Police (RNP) to fight related crimes.

The regulations came into force on July 11. Since then, the regulator, Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) and RNP have launched campaigns countrywide to elaborate the regulations to those already in this business as well as the general public.

The regulations, partly, specify that before buying second-hand electronics, the business operator must first secure an operating license, verify that the seller is the rightful owner of the equipment and record detailed particulars.

Traders are now required to keep records for at least two years, indicate the category, brand and model name, model number, serial number, information relating to International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) and International Mobile Equipment Identity Software Version (IMEI-SV) per slot where applicable; any other distinguished marks or features, where applicable and equipment status description.

On Friday, August 12, the awareness was extended to traders in Nyanza and Ruhango districts.

Jean Claude Muheto is one of the dealers in used electrical and electronic equipment in Nyanza town.

He said that the regulations are essential for their business and to fight related theft

?The regulations are invaluable and beneficial to our business. It has come to reorganize this business and to fight theft which was associated with this business. It is in our benefit to comply and to work with related institutions to make it more orderly, profitable and to fight theft of electrical and electronic equipment, some of which are sold on black market," Muheto said.

Vianney Ntagwabira, a technician and dealer in used electronics in Nyanza, also echoed that the regulations are important for both traders and customers.

"We cannot ignore the fact that some of the electronics stolen from homes and other facilities are sold to traders on black market. So, we are now looking at a tool which will prevent traders from buying these stolen items but also killing the market for the thieves," said Ntagwabira.

While speaking to 80 traders in Nyanza, the District Police Commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Edouard Kiiza appealed to them to understand and comply with the regulations.

?To make the trade of used electronics successful, abide by the regulations and work with the Police and other concerned entities to fight irregularities that might affect your business," SSP Kiiza said.

The regulations provide, among others, that a business operator must conclude with the seller a contract of sale of used electrical or electronic equipment which indicates that the item being sold serves well its intended purpose.