Rwanda National Police

Thirty-three bags of cement stolen from a bridge construction company were recovered from suspected thieves in Kamonyi District, recently.

At least two people, who are part of the alleged group behind the theft of cement from the company constructing Nyabarongo Bridge in Kamonyi, which connects the Southern Province and Kigali, were arrested.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that following separate cases of theft reported by the bridge construction company, Police responded and first arrested one Theoneste Kageruka with two bags of cement. Kageruka was a security guard at the bridge.

“Kageruka led Police officers to one Nadia Uwineza, who was caught with other four bags of cement; 14 other bags were recovered at the house of one Vincent Twagirayezu while 13 other bags were found in the house of Joseline Mutoni,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
Twagirayezu and Umutoni are still on the run.

“Nine people have since been implicated in this theft conducted on different occasions. Many bags of cement were stolen from the company and those recovered are some of them, law enforcement agencies are working together to recover others and to bring to justice all those behind this theft,” the spokesperson explained.

He commended those who provided information that led to the recovery of part of the stolen cement and arrest of suspects. He further called for more information sharing to facilitate the recovery of quantities still missing and to bring to justice all suspects.

Theft, under article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, attracts an imprisonment of between one and two years and a fine of up to Rwf 2million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.