Rwanda National Police has said that it has launched a probe into a black market that has encouraged the sale of vandalized and stolen copper cables to export them to markets outside Rwanda.
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Police and other government officials on March 21 summoned scrap dealers who are members of Rwanda Scrap Dealers Association to take measures on how to detect black market for stolen copper cables, transformer oil and other materials that are stolen by vandalizing public infrastructure.
According to police investigation, high copper demand across international markets has boosted the sale of damaged copper cables in Rwanda despite the sale of used electrical wires being illegal.
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Police said when transformers are vandalised, they are scrapped for oil and copper which are sold on both local and export markets.
According to McKinsey, global electrification is expected to increase annual copper demand to 36.6 million tonnes by 2031.
Rwanda National Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Boniface Rutikanga, said that vandalized and stolen electric copper cables are currently sold at a black market where most scrap dealers buy them without exercising caution.
"We are fighting against those who vandalise and steal public infrastructure but also scrap dealers who buy them. The scrap dealers are obliged to report any electrical cables brought to them,” he noted.
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Martine Urujeni, the Vice mayor of the City of Kigali in charge of Socio-Economic Affairs, said that many theft cases of public infrastructure materials have been reported and therefore scrap dealers are on the spot as they are the clients.
"By discouraging scrap dealers who buy these stolen materials, we will be discouraging those behind vandalism. We are streamlining ways scrap dealers will be reporting cases of electrical and telecommunication cables, water pipes, transformer oil, and others brought to them,” she said.
Citing examples of theft, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) told scrap dealers that electrical cables with 120 metres were vandalised on March 3, 2024 in Gasanze and Nyacyonga while 15-metre electrical cables were vandalised on March 10 in Bumbogo.
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REG said that transformer oil worth Rwf135.5 million was vandalised and stolen from 17 transformers in Jabana, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge and Remera since October 2023.
"There are scrap dealers who are not professionals and members of Rwanda Scrap Dealers Association who market for the vandalised and stolen public infrastructure materials. But even some who are members of the association buy them although they know it is not allowed,” said Abdul Karim Hakizimana, a scrap dealer.
Francis Twahirwa, the President of Rwanda Scrap Dealers Association (RSA) pledged that there will be crackdown on unprofessional scrap dealers who buy vandalised and stolen copper cables among other materials stolen from public infrastructure.
Rules to follow
In 2022, Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) released new trade rules for used electrical equipment and gadgets.
A person who intends to carry out trade of used electrical or electronic equipment must apply for a license from authority, Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) has ordered.
Before buying used electrical or electronic equipment, the business operator must verify that the seller is the rightful owner of the equipment.
The business operator must also record the identity of the seller indicating the names, a copy of identity card, passport or business registration certificate, residence, telephone number, e-mail address, where applicable.
The business operator reports to the relevant authorities any person suspected to have unlawfully acquired used electrical or electronic equipment.
The authority may seize used electrical or electronic equipment found in a store or shop of the business operator when a business operator fails to provide the records of the used electrical or electronic equipment under his or her possession.
However, according to the guidelines, used electrical wires are not allowed to be traded by business operators.