Prosecution has recovered over Rwf14million of the Rwf 889million and $65,000 allegedly embezzled by either leaders or members of several cooperatives, The New Times has learnt.

A source from the Prosecutor’s office confirmed that a total of Rwf 14, 224, 626 had been recovered from some institutions or individuals implicated in the scam.

The scam was unearthed after an audit was carried out and led to the arrest of some members of these cooperatives.

Among the cooperatives involved were Kopakabi (Rwamagana), Codace(Nyarugenge), Kirebe Kamate Zirakamwa(KKZ) (Nyagatare), Cavecuvi (Rusizi), Pfunda Tea Farmers’/SACCO (Rubavu) and Isange in Rulindo District.

Documents indicate that 163 out of 266 cases of embezzlement that were reported need deeper investigations.

The audit report also recommends that the Rwanda Cooperatives Agency (RCA) carry out a comprehensive audit of more cooperatives and establish the actual amount of the amount embezzled and those responsible be brought to book.

The most outstanding new case is that of Coopec Codenya in Nyanza District, where over Rwf 54million could not be traced.

The leader of this cooperative, Theogene Rutagambwa, was investigated and later arrested in connection with the missing funds.

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