Police in Nyamasheke District on Thursday recovered about 850 litres of diesel stolen from the China Road and Bridge Corporation, a Chinese company constructing the Nyamasheke-Karongi road. The District Police Commander, Supt. Jules Rutayisire, said two people allegedly connected to the theft are still at large. Supt. Rutayisire added that the two suspects are not employees of the firm, but added that investigations are ongoing to find out if any of their staff, especially drivers, were involved. He said the fuel and 21 other empty jerricans were recovered in a bush in Kigoya Cell, Kanjongo Sector where it was hidden, following investigations. The recovered fuel was handed over to the company management yesterday. Athanase Bayigaba, the head of security at the Chinese firm, said the fuel was siphoned from vehicles, tractors and other company machines at different intervals. “We cannot ascertain the quantity of stolen fuel but we got information about the act and immediately reported the matter to Police,” Bayigaba said. “We thank Rwanda National Police (RNP) for recovering our fuel and we are certain even those responsible will be apprehended and brought to book,” Bayigaba said. Supt. Rutayisire also thanked area residents who provided information that led to the recovery of the fuel. He appealed to them to continue reporting such criminal acts. “Everybody should work instead of surviving through dubious means,” he noted.
