SOUTHERN PROVINCE RUHANGO—The former bank manager of Bank Populaire Kinazi branch, last week appeared before the Ruhango Lower Court to answer charges of fraud. Sadate Munyakazi, was arrested recently on allegations of diverting funds meant for the government programme of One Cow per family-commonly known as ‘Girinka.’ The Girinka programme was launched by President Paul Kagame with the aim of promoting, cattle stocking among poor families. The government channelled the money meant for the programme through Bank Populaire-which would procure and provide the cows on loan to residents countrywide. Prosecution alleges that Munyakazi bought cheap and frail cows on the black market which he gave to residents of Kinazi and Ntongwe Sectors in Ruhango. At least 58 out of the 64 cows given out died and they were non reproductive, according to prosecution. It said that residents had initially rejected the cows, but Munyakazi went ahead to offer the same local breeds at a high price which was well above the market price. According to the beneficiaries, Munyakazi claimed that the cows were of high quality and productive, but no proper documents to the effect, were given as required by the ministerial guidelines. However, Munyakazi and his lawyer, Maitre Brandina Mupfasoni, denied the charges, saying that the cows died because of poor care and disease which had affected all livestock countrywide. Mupfasoni unsuccessfully asked the court to grant his client bail. Ends
