RWAMAGANA - Police have arrested members of a Christian sect located in Gahengeri sector of Rwamagana district, for allegedly promoting anti-social behaviour.

Police say that the sect members of ADEPR (Association des Eglises Presbytériennes au Rwanda), were arrested for resorting to prolonged fasting and hiding in a cave that is considered by its adherents as a place of worship.

"We arrested them partly to save their lives... after prolonged fasting most of the people were indeed starving. It is illegal to subject people to such harsh situations,” security officials said.

Placid Nsengiyumva, the Executive Secretary of Gahengeri sector said that most residents and sector administrators were astonished by the sect’s style of worship.

However, those arrested pleaded innocent by saying that they saw no wrong doing in their approach to worship.

Lenetha Mushimiyimana, 30, a businesswoman in Gacuriro, Kigali and one of those found worshipping at the cave, told The New Times that she had come to seek God to help her business thrive after suffering a heavy loss.

She added that contrary to the thinking by police the sect’s mode of worship helped so many people to get out of their socio-economic problems.

"My business suffered a heavy blow when a man conned me of Rwf 3 million. But surprisingly, since I sought assistance from this Sect I have since regained my footing in business,” she said.

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