Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) has intercepted 18 bales of second-hand clothes and 30 pairs of shoes in Rusizi District, which were smuggled into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The goods were seized on Saturday, August 28, in coordinated operations conducted in Ngoma and Muhali villages of Kamatita Cell in Gihundwe Sector.

The bales of used clothes and shoes had been sneaked into Rwanda through Lake Kivu, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said.

 At least one of the smugglers identified as Elysee Niyogushima was arrested in the operations with seven bales, which were recoved in his house.

"When residents reported the alleged smuggling and with reports that some of the bales of clothes were hidden in Niyogushima's house located in Ngoma village, Police officers went there at about 1am, they recovered seven bales and took him into custody," CIP Karekezi said.

He added that ten other bales of caguwa and the 30 pairs of shoes were seized from other smugglers in Muhali village, who escaped.

Niyogushima, who admitted to be the rightful owner of the seven bales, explained that together with other people, whom he did not disclose, they press orders in the DRC.

According to Niyogushima, their supplier in DRC is his father and that they normally sneak them into Rwanda by boat through Lake Kivu.

Niyogushima was handed over to RIB at Kamembe station for further legal process while the goods were taken to RRA Rusizi branch.
 
In article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, any automobile used in smuggling and seized smuggled goods are auctioned while the driver is fined US$5,000.

Tax fraud

A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years.