EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE — Police in Nyagatare on Friday arrested a pastor of Immanuel United Church of Christ and a Cell leader for allegedly conning poor parents of their money.

Pastor Naume Nyiraneza, and Christian Safari, a local leader of Tabagwe Cell allegedly obtained money by false pretence from a host of children in the pretext that they would get them education sponsors from USA.

The pastor had reportedly been summoned by police to make a statement on the allegations but was detained on reaching police, sources said.

The district police commander Superintendent Emmanuel Kalasi confirmed the arrest.

Kalasi told The New Time that Nyiraneza teamed with other pastors and one Cell leader from Tabagwe Sector to fleece money from scores of parents.

"The police are still investigating the matter but we wonder why they never sought permission from local authorities. They admit to have collected over Frw4million during the process of registration," Kalasi said.

Other religious leaders who talked to The New Times said their colleague was honest but blamed her for not seeking permission from local leaders.

"I wonder why she never sought permission from the local authorities. Even the act of registering anyone she came across makes it questionable. But what I know she is a true woman of God," one local pastor in Nyagatare who asked not to be named said.

Sources allege the duo collected over Frw5million from the deal. Each child was reportedly asked to pay Frw5500. According to police statement, the pastor registered 1,801 children but 1,063 duly paid the money totaling to Frw4million.

Other residents reportedly cast doubt in her scheme after they found out that she was registering children without serious scrutiny to know genuine needy children.

Earlier, Nyiraneza insisted that her scheme was genuine but the problem emanated from her failure to seek permission from local leaders. "It was a mistake to carry out such an activity without the knowledge of the local authorities. But the sponsorship project just needs time to materialise," she said, adding that she was ready to apologise for the omission.

She wonders why people are labeling her a con-woman yet "she has served in pastoral ministry for years and has no intentions of exploiting the people of God."

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