WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — Police in Rusizi district have arrested a group of 20 residents for allegedly embezzling Rwf50 m meant for the health insurance scheme commonly referred to as Mituelle de Santé.

The group including 17 men and three women were arrested over the weekend from the different Sectors of Nkanka, Gihundwe, Kamembe, Mururu, Giheke and Nkombo.

Superintendent Dan Ndayambaje, the Rusizi District Police Commander, (DPC), confirmed the arrest, saying cases of embezzling funds meant for the health insurance are a general problem facing many sectors of the district.

"Yes it’s true we have detained 20 residents who were collecting the money for mituelle de santé on charges of embezzlement,” the Police chief said by phone on Tuesday. 

Police identified the suspects as, Apolineri Harerimana, 44, Hassan Njunju, 43, Adosi Pascal, 42, Emmanuel Habarurema, 35, Theogene Nzaramba, 53, and Jean Pierre Habumugisha alias Ntarumanga, 47.

Others are, Ephraim Mihigo, Ferdinand Nambajimana, Faustin Bunani, Evariste Muhirwa, Filbert Manigebe, and Zazaria Ibyimanigira.

Police say the suspects were arrested after a team of district auditors implicated them in the embezzlement of the said funds. Others were identified as Modeste Mudasanga, Fracoise Uwamahoro, Zelerie Mwamini, and Hadija Kavumbi.

They were all working as treasurers in their respective Sectors in 2004-2007.

"We arrested them after being informed by the district management that they embezzled over Rwf50millions for health insurance- collected from residents in the past years,” Police said.

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