Rwanda National Police

Residents of Rutsiro and Ngororero districts have been reminded to desist from illegal mineral trade and mining.

The call follows an incident on Friday where one person drowned in Sebeya stream and five others survived as they were conducting illegal mining activities. 

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said the victim and suspects were mining at night.

"They had gone to Sebeya stream to wash and filter the minerals when floods caused by heavy rains swept them. One of them called Daniel Nsengimana, 40, drowned and another one named Ntamahungiro survived with injuries and was rushed to the hospital," said CIP Karekezi. 

He warned against illegal mining acts which are dangerous especially in this period of torrential rains.

Under article 54 of the law on mining, anyone convicted of illegal mineral related business, faces between two and six months imprisonment and a fine of Rwf1 million to Rwf5 million or one of these penalties. 

Court also orders seizure of the minerals. A licence of a company conducting mining illegally can also be revoked.