English
Kinyarwanda
Police and local leaders in the Southern Province, on Tuesday, November 24, held a meeting with residents and grassroots leaders from Ngoma and Nyanza sectors in Nyaruguru and Gisagara districts, respectively, to enlighten them on the ideology of community policing and to fight the high cases of smuggling.
The anti-crime outreach event held in consideration of the health guidelines against the pandemic of the COVID-19 was presided over by the Governor of the Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi.
It was also attended by the Southern Region Police Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Innocent Rutagarama Kanyamihigo.
Governor Kayitesi told the residents that Rwanda’s fast development is built on the country’s safety and security founded on strong partnership of community policing.
She urged them to sustain and build from what has been achieved by engaging in lawful businesses and being law compliant.
The Governor further warned against illegal trade especially smuggling, and appealed to the grassroots leaders and residents to work together against such fraud.
“People smuggling goods into Rwanda from Burundi, use porous borders through Nyanza and Ngoma sectors. Grassroots leaders from Isibo level should denounce by names those people involved in smuggling as well as those you suspect, to facilitate security operations against such illegal trade and cross-border activities,” the Governor told the local leaders.
She raised concerns related to spreading the COVID-19, and urged the residents to seize the available business opportunities and engage in varied legal businesses rather than breaking the law, which equally affects their socio-economic development.
Region Police Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Innocent Rutagarama Kanyamihigo speaks during the meeting.
The Regional Police Commander, on his part, emphasized that using ungazetted routes to cross the border in addition to using the same routes to bring goods into Rwanda, not only are punishable by law, but also undermine the security of the country and the individual involved.
“Desist from illegal cross-border movements because it is punishable by law and leads to individual loss, especially when the smuggled goods are seized and auctioned as the law provides on top of other heavy fines and imprisonment. Again, smuggling can raise health concerns especially when the goods are harmful, substandard or expired,” CSP Kanyamihigo told the residents.
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six (6) months and two (2) years.”
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods, under article 199, are auctioned.
The vehicle used in fraud and smuggling, it is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5000.
He reminded them that such illegal cross-border activity can also be used by other criminals or people with intension to destabilize the security of Rwanda.
CSP Kanyamihigo warned that Rwanda National Police has increased operations against illegal cross-border trade in the two sectors of Nyanza and Ngoma
The most common smuggled goods through the two sectors include second-hand clothes commonly known as Caguwa, cigarette, skin bleaching products, beer and palm-oil, among others.
