Andre Mutabaruka, a local administrative official in Kicukiro district is under Police custody after he was caught embezzling food relief aimed to support residents affected by lockdown.

The arrest of Mutabaruka was confirmed by the District Executive Administrator of Kicukiro District, Solange Umutesi.

The embezzlement which happened in Nyakuguma village, Gahanga sector was discovered after residents suspected him and called local leaders.

"The neighbors, in the evening, saw bicycles entering his home with packages of food relief similar to the ones which are supposed to be distributed to residents affected by the lockdown.

They got curious and informed local leaders which led to the arrest of the suspect in partnership with security controllers and police who went to check out and found out that Mutabaruka was embezzling the food,” she said.

According to Mutesi, the suspect confessed to the crime and was immediately handed to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).

Mutabaruka and co-accused are now detained at Gahanga RIB station where they are alleged to have embezzled about 60 Kilogrammes that include rice, beans, maize flour among others.

The official said that this is the first case of food relief embezzlement recorded in the district and urged residents to report anyone whom they suspect of embezzling food relief being distributed.

"We keep on explaining categories of people who are supposed to get the food relief considering the effects of Covid-19 lockdown,” she said.

She said that food relief distribution has been going well in general adding that other families who run short of food during additional lockdown were also supported.

"We advise all local leaders to be loyal in order to protect the reputation and build trust in the public and serve as models to the citizens,” she said, adding that citizens should report any case of embezzlement they find out.

Up to 210,000 vulnerable households were set to benefit from the government food relief programme following the latest Covid-19 lockdown imposed in some parts of the country.

 The ten-day lockdown which had started on July 17 was extended by five days to July 31.

A cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame will release new guidelines regarding measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.