GATSIBO – Preliminary investigation indicates that the re-distribution of cows under the One Cow per Family program has been marred by malpractice in Gatsibo district, The New Times can reveal.

Speaking at a District security meeting in Kabarore sector on Monday, the Mayor, Anselme Majoro Rurangwa, warned that tough penalties would be taken against a section of local leaders especially at the cell and sector levels who are involved.

‘We have confirmed that some local leaders have started re-distributing these cows irregularly, basing on nepotism while some received bribes from undeserving beneficiaries,” he said. "We are ready to punish those who will be caught in this illegal act.”

He also disclosed that some residents returned calves instead of the cows which they had been given.
"You should return the real cow that you were given,” the Mayor directed. 

Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture gave a 45-day ultimatum for every district to recall and re-distribute the cows which had been given to undeserving beneficiaries after reports emerged that the program had been abused.

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