Rwanda National Police

Authorities in the Rutsiro District have urged fishermen, fishmonger and communities living on the shores of Lake Kivu to be custodians of the law by reporting maritime crimes.

The call was made recently by the vice mayor in charge Social Affairs J Hermans Butasi during the meeting that brought together Police, local leaders and other stakeholders to further device methods of ensuring maritime security on Lake Kivu.

The meeting was aimed at mobilizing the fishermen into making personal and joint efforts to fight and prevent crimes that are commonly committed on water bodies.

Common among maritime crimes include smuggling, illegal fishing including use of substandard fishing nets, and drug trafficking.

Butasi also tasked members of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) from Kigeyo, Mushonyi and Boneza sectors, who also attended the meeting, to sustain the efforts to ensure standard fishing methods are observed.

The District Police Commander of Rutsiro, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Paul Butera thanked the fishermen for their role in reporting and fighting especially drug traffickers and smugglers that attempt to use the waters.

"We have arrested a number of smugglers and drug traffickers who try to sneak into the country through Lake Kivu because you're there to report such people," SSP Butera said.

He appealed to fishing communities to continue working with law enforcement officers to identify and arrest potential criminal elements.

He noted establishing anti- crime clubs will also help the coordinate and strengthen their community policing efforts.