KARONGI- A woman who posed as an official from the Ministry of Health and conned money from residents has been arrested and detained at Bwishyura Police Post in Karongi District.

Gorette Mukandamage, 25, was arrested in Rubengera sector early this week after conning money from traders who she claimed did not observe the minimum hygiene standards needed within hospitality establishments.

Sources say Mukandamage threatened to close down restaurants with poor sanitation.

Fearing for the closure, residents succumbed to threats and parted with cash before security officials intervened.

She was later produced before the Bwishyura Lower Instance Court and charged with extortion and impersonation.

In court, Mukandamage pleaded guilty to the charges leveled against her but denied ever pocketing the money alone.

"I would share everything that we got with the security guard who was similarly involved in this scheme,” Mukandamage told a fully packed courtroom.

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