Police in Kigali has recovered about Rwf20 million which had been stolen from Dabco, a local-based Turkish construction and trading company.

The money was recovered from two firm employees who were also arrested by Police last week.

The duo identified as Chantal Bakundukize and Eric Tuyisenge are currently detained at Remera Police Station.

The money, in different currencies including dollars and Euros, was stolen on December 2 from the firm’s offices in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District.

Police Spokesperson, Chief Supt Celestin Twahirwa, said after the victims filed a theft case on the same day, Police launched immediate investigations.

"Nine people, all employees of the firm were immediately arrested to assist in investigations and after thorough screening, it was established that only two had gained access to where the money was kept earlier that day,” CSP Twahirwa said.

Police said the two suspects confessed to stealing the money.

Part of the money was found hidden at the backyard of the offices while the rest was wrapped in a bag and stashed in maize flour in a shop in the neighbourhood.

The money was on Saturday handed over to Emre Cicek, the company’s Managing Director.

"We agreed to steal and share the money. I am a first time offender and I beg for lenience,” Bakundukize,30, a cook who had worked for the firm for a year said.

Her accomplice, Tuyisenge, said the money had been kept in the drawer and wallet in one of the office rooms.

"We reached office earlier in the morning before our bosses arrived and entered the room where the money was because neither the room nor the drawer was locked. We took the money and hid it separately,” Tuyisenge said.

Dabco Managing Director Emre Cicek, also confirmed that the room where the money had been kept was not locked, but added that they had trust from in the two employees who they even entrusted with keys to their offices.

"We trusted the duo so much and gave them better offers on top of their salary (Rwf100, 000 each) and we had agreed to also pay their school fees,” Emre said.

"As a new company, we were also building trust among our employees. As we grow, we also want our employees to grow with us and that starts with trust on both sides,” he added.

CSP Twahirwa challenged the business community to always be vigilant.

"Much as you trust your employees, keeping large sums of money in an accessible place is really tempting. We urge you to keep your money in financial institutions,” he said.

Theft without violence or threat, under article 300 of the penal code in punishable with a sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine of between two to five times the value of the stolen property.

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