WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mary Gahonzire, has called upon Rusizi residents to be vigilant on security by cooperating with security organs and reporting wrong elements in their localities.

Gahonzire made the call on Tuesday at Mururu Sector while addressing residents of Mururu and Nyakarenzo sectors of Rusizi district.

"It’s your responsibility as concerned Rwandans to feel and know that you are responsible for keeping and promoting security in your sector and countrywide, by cooperating with all other government security organs in monitoring security in your respective places of work and residences,” she urged.

Gahonzire observed that to maintain security, residents needed to stand up against crimes and work as security watchdogs for each other. She directed the call especially to residents living near the  borders with DR Congo. 

During the meeting, Rusizi District Police Commander, Superintendent Francis Muheto reported that some genocide suspects and their accomplices in Mururu sector have previously committed a series of crimes against genocide survivors.

The suspected criminals have cut down banana plantations, put crosses, blood and dropped letters with death threats at the homes of genocide survivors, Muheto said. But he reaffirmed their commitment to prevent similar incidents in the district.   

In her reaction, Gahonzire urged residents to desist from genocide ideology and other ethnic divisionism and instead work with all government bodies in developing the country. Residents were also urged to attend night patrols in order to curb crimes in the area.

Gahonzire appealed to residents to always participate in Community policing and government programmes geared at development.

Penelope Kantarama, the Western Province governor, urged residents to promote good governance, peace, unity and reconciliation among Rwandans.

She cautioned residents against harassing, intimidating and torturing genocide survivors in the region but rather give them the necessary support.

Mururu sector is ranked third among the sectors where crime is rampant countrywide, according to police criminal statistics, Gahonzire said.

The visit was reportedly meant to assess the security situation in the area following reports that some residents especially genocide suspects and their accomplices in the area wanted to flee the country.

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