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Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police (RNP) has issued a stern warning against people who vandalise public infrastructures and reminded them of the risks and punitive measures once they are caught.
The warning follows two cases involving three men who vandalized electric poles and stole 350 meters long of high voltage electric cables in the Western Province.
The suspects are Jean Bosco Hategekimana who vandalized 300 meters of electric cables and currently held at Kanama Police station in Rubavu District while the other two suspects are Sadi Ntezirizaza and Jean Claude Niyibizi who were found with 50 meters of electric cables and are currently held at Busasamana Police station in Nyanza District.
Reacting to the incident, the Western Region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire said; “We previously warned people against such acts and in fact, a number of people have been apprehended in different parts of the country in connection with vandalising infrastructure such as water pipes, electrical wires and pylons.”
He however added that police has stepped up efforts in fighting such offenses. A similar case was reported in Gatsibo District where police also arrested three people in connection with vandalising electric pylons that they dismantle to sell as scrap metals.
Prior to that, in April last year, Police in Huye District rrested three men in connection with stealing underground electric cables connecting Huye mineral water plant in Ngoma Sector.
In issuing a warning, CIP Kanamugire referred to article 406 of the penal code which stipulates in pert that any person who willfully destroys or damages in any way, in all or a part, buildings, bridges, dams, water pipes, water pipe routes, roads, railways or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to 10 times the value of the damaged property.
The article adds that, “If the willful destruction or damage results in the death of one or more persons, the penalty shall be life imprisonment.”
“You may think you are just picking a cable or a pipe for quick sale or easy money but what you are doing may land you in jail for a very long time, said the spokesperson and added that the three suspects will be charged under article 300 of the penal code.
The article states that, “Any person who commits theft without violence or threat shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of two to five times the value of the stolen property or one of these penalties.”
