POLICE IN MUSANZE are holding two men suspected of stealing over Rwf30 million from Herson Turikumana, a Kigali businessman. The suspects, Habinshuti, 26, a guard and Kalimunda, a businessman were arrested after they attempted to flee the scene. Habinshuti confessed having stolen the money, adding that his boss (Turikumana) forgot it in a car. “My boss left the money in the car and I got tempted when I saw it as I was washing the car. I decided to take the money although I have never been a thief,” Habinshuti said. He said he headed to Kayonza District the following day, only to be arrested together with his close relative Kalimunda as they planned to head to Musanze to spend the money. Kalimunda, however, denied being connected to the theft, adding that he was only asked to go with him to look for a job. “He ( Habinshuti) couldn’t put down the bag he had because he didn’t want me to know its contents. I got to know about the money after we were arrested,” Kalimunda said. But the police say their dossiers will be handed to the prosecution for trial. Superintendent Emmanuel Hitayezu, the Northern Province regional police spokesperson, said the duo was arrested after thorough investigations. “We carried out investigations which revealed the suspects were in the Northern Province. We worked closely with local residents and found them with the money,” Hitayezu said. He said the suspects stole money in US dollars and Euro equivalent to Rwf30.9 million. Hitayezu said that the duo was arrested while trying to change the currency in Rwandan currency. He urged businesspeople to be vigilant and deposit their money in banks after working time. If found guilty, the suspects could serve a jail sentence of between six months and two years, or a fine of twice or five times the amount stolen, or both.
