Two held for conning vehicle owners

Kigali Police yesterday apprehended two mechanics masquerading as middlemen between vehicle owners and officials of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre. The duo was arrested soliciting money from several car owners alleging that they would expedite the vehicle inspection process at the Remera-based facility, which examines the roadworthiness of vehicles. The two men, Alex Mugabe and Suleiman Ntawumenyumunsi, confessed the crime to the media. “When people bring their cars to our garage, we demand from them Rwf 15,000 so that we can fast track the inspection process. We deceive them that we can negotiate with officials at the centre,” admitted Mugabe. The centre is currently run by the National Police. Mugabe added that most of their targets were rural folk who are always naïve about the whole inspection exercise. While parading the two suspects in front of the public and the media, Police took the public through the whole vehicle inspection. The Police Spokesperson, Theos Badege said that such swindlers were tarnishing the image of the inspection centre. “The public should be aware of such people and report them to authorities on the toll free line (3511). The suspects are currently detained at Remera Police Station,” said Badege. A car owner, Francois Xavier Sindikubwabo, who had brought his vehicle for inspection, urged the public to desist from relying on brokers. He said that the inspection process is simple and fast underlining that there was no need for an agent. Ends