Eight men have been detained in Kamonyi District over illegal mining and causing insecurity, according to the Police. SP Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Spokesperson for the Southern Region Police Unit, told The New Times that the arrests were made during operations conducted in the early hours of November 18 and 19. The suspects were found in the Rukoma, Ngamba, and Kayenzi sectors in Kamonyi District. ALSO READ: Police move to tackle illegal mining, vandalism in Southern Province Among those arrested is a 24-year-old man suspected of involvement in other serious security breaches, including assaulting and injuring someone with a machete, in addition to engaging in illegal mining, SP Habiyaremye said. A 31-year-old man is accused of employing others to participate in these illegal mining activities. The remaining suspects were working as labourers in the illegal operations, while involved in security destabilisation in different activities. The police also seized various tools including shovels and a weighing scale used in the illegal mining activities. “The suspects are currently held at Gacurabwenge, Kayenzi, and Rukoma police stations,” he noted. The operation followed similar operation in early November in which over 50 people were detained in Southern Province over illegal mining activities. ALSO READ: Southern Province: Over 50 detained over illegal mining Habiyaremye commended the collaboration with local residents, whose information was instrumental in the operation, encouraging the public to continue reporting such activities to help maintain security in the area. We urge everyone to avoid engaging in such activities, he added. The Police reminded the public that illegal mining poses serious risks, including the loss of life and threats to community security.
