Rwamagana- Two German nationals, Gerd Jager and Gordon Bartosik caused a scene on Thursday when they exchanged blows over ownership of a mining company known as ‘Rwanda Mineral Mining Sarl’ that deals in Cassiterite mining in Musha sector, Rwamagana district.

Police in Rwamagana interrogated the two, and later detained Jager for allegedly initiating the fight.

Earlier in the night, a guard employed by Jager had been seriously beaten by local defence guards, allegedly working for Bartosik, for purportedly trying to steal the minerals.

The guard was still undergoing treatment at Musha clinic by the time The New Times visited the scene. 

The nasty brawl occurred just one day after the duo had appeared in court for the first hearing of their dispute.

Jager said that the two have equal shares (50-50) in the company, but his partner has turned to be very untrustworthy by embezzling the company’s money.

He said that over 50 Million Euros were unaccounted for due to his partner’s egoistic expenditures.

"On top of this, he goes behind to continue extracting the minerals, even when authorities had ordered both of us to stop,” Jager said.

"I am indeed aggrieved. How did the local authorities allow him to do so? We have an official letter instructing both of us to stop,” he said angrily.

However, Bartosik maintains that Jager was a simple employee who was relieved of his duties.

"This man has no shares in this mining company,” said a Rwandan lady acting as the German’s interpreter.

Geoffrey Mushaija the Executive Secretary of Rwamagana District, said it was unacceptable for the two men to physically fight yet the case was before court.

”Much as the former district authorities did not give this matter the attention it deserved, they shouldn’t go all that far,” Mushaija said. "Let them wait for a court decision and meanwhile respect the ban on extracting the minerals.”

Alex Ndikumana, a resident of the area, said that the only remedy to the saga would be to stop disorganized mining activities in the whole district.

Ends