A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday approved the decision by the Rwanda National Police to discharge 42 police officers from the force. 22 of them were dismissed for gross misconduct.

In an interview with The New Times, Internal Security Minister, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, confirmed the dismissals adding that the National Police Council is currently compiling a list of more officers to be dismissed.

"I can’t go into the details of each and every officer, but apart from those who requested to leave the force citing health reasons, and those who have reached retirement age, the others have been dismissed due to misconduct; especially corruption and negligence,” the minister said.

The officers dismissed for gross misconduct as directed by the Prime Minister’s include two Junior Officers Inspector of Police Innocent Rudakubana and Assistant Inspector of Police Ubard Muhabanyi.

"Rudakubana was dismissed for misconduct and negligence of duty. He literally deviated from his duties while Muhabanyi was charged in court and found guilty of corruption,” Harerimana noted.

Two other junior officers namely Chief Inspector of Police Jacques Mudatsikira and Inspector of Police Rafiki Kagabo were granted permission to leave the force on health grounds.

20 Non-Commissioned Officers were also dismissed for gross misconduct after being caught in illegal activities ranging from corruption to murder. Four were discharged on health grounds.

According to Harerimana, 10 of the 20 officers were dismissed for deserting while two were dismissed over corruption-related cases. Three of the officers were found to be guilty of genocide ideology and divisionism based on ethnicity.

"One of the officers was found by court to be guilty of manslaughter (involuntary murder) and he was handed a 6-month sentence which automatically calls for his dismissal.

"We will continue to tighten measures to wipe out corruption in the force. We will leave no stone unturned because we realise that if we are to fight corruption, it should begin with the police,” the Minister added.   

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