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Kinyarwanda
An agronomist and two agro-dealers in Burera District have been arrested for alleged gross malpractices including forgery in the selling of government distributed maize seeds and fertilizers meant to increase production.
Those arrested are Nestor Nizeyimana, the agronomist of Kagogo Sector, Jean Baptiste Habyarimana and Cyriaque Dusabimana, both government accredited agro-dealers of Kagogo and Gitovu sectors, respectively.
Agro-dealers are entrepreneurs accredited to sell and distribute seeds and fertilizers on behalf of the government, on a subsidized price.
The District Police Commander of Burera, Supt. Alex Fata said that the arrest of the trio followed an inspection by a joint committee that unearthed “inflated prices and forgeries.”
“There was information that the dealers were acting contrary to the set standards by the Ministry of Agriculture. So, a committee composed of district authorities and security organs including police and army was set up to look into this issue. It later came to light that these dealers were inflating prices and cheating farmers,” Supt. Fata said.
“This prompted thorough investigations. During investigations in Kagogo and Gitovu, we found out that the two accredited dealers had increased maize seed price from Rwf460, the set standard price by the ministry, to about Rwf1000,” he added.
“We also found out that they had forged signatures of ghost beneficiaries while in other cases, they would trick beneficiaries to just sign and they [agro-dealers] fill in the quantity for them, which is higher than what was sold.”
These, the DPC said, are acts of embezzlement of public property.
Embezzlement of public or private property under article 325 of the penal code attracts an imprisonment of between seven and ten years, and a fine of two to five times the value of the embezzled or destroyed property.
On the other hand, forging signature or fingerprint, under article 609 attracts a term of imprisonment of more than five years to seven years and a fine of Rwf300, 000 to Rwf3 million, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Nizeyimana, the agronomist of Kagogo is also suspected to have connived with Habyarimana in the fraudulent acts.
At the time of his arrest, Nizeyimana, who is not in the category of beneficiaries as per the ministry instructions, but rather an overseer, was found with a sack of fertilizers.
“This is just the start; everyone involved in this misuse and embezzlement of public goods will be brought to account. The inspection will be conducted in all the 17 sectors of Burera,” Supt. Fata said.
Jean de Dieu Nizeyimbabazi, the agronomy of Burera District, also said that they will work with police and the residents especially beneficiaries, to ensure that those connected to these criminal acts, face justice.
He appealed to the public to always ensure that what they buy is properly recorded and report anyone they witness or suspect to be acting contrary to the standards.
