Italia Solidale officials ruling today

• Beneficiaries petition police NYARUGENGE - Two officials of the Catholic Church sponsored charity organisation, Italia Solidale, at the centre of controversy surrounding the mismanagement of Rwf3bn meant for orphans will know their fate today. The long awaited ruling will be passed amid mixed reactions from the beneficiaries. Gerald Ndamage and Faustin Ngendahayo are charged with the embezzlement of Rwf3bn meant for over 2000 under privileged children. The case hit a snag last month when the verdict was lost, when a computer in which it was stored crashed. The NGO has been accused by intended beneficiaries of mismanaging funds meant to help orphans. Top officials of the NGO are alleged to have diverted about Rwf 3bn sent from Italy to assist about 2000 orphans left vulnerable by the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. The leaders have in the past repeatedly denied pocketing the funds. Last year, an audit by the Supreme Court revealed that Rwf 3bn was received from Italy with very little activities on the ground to justify how it was spent. The Supreme Court carried out the audit after beneficiaries of Italia Solidale blew the whistle that the funds were being spent on children from well to do families, among other issues. In a related development, The New Times, has learnt that the beneficiaries have since written to the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mary Gahonzire, requesting investigations into the activities of Daniella Fortini, an Italian national whom they accuse of working closely with the organisation to frustrate investigations into the case. “The reason we want this Italian citizen investigated is that, she works for Italia Solidale and we suspect she is working with the accused,” the letter of which The New Times has obtained reads in part. The letter dated August 18, is one of the many that the aggrieved beneficiaries have previously written to several local authorities seeking intervention. Ends

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Italia Solidale officials ruling today