Prosecution takes up Turatsinze’s case

The National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) has announced the opening of investigations into an alleged corruption case involving the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Cyrille Turatsinze, who was arrested last Saturday.In a telephone interview, prosecution spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, however disclosed that it is “still early” to provide details of the case.“All I can tell you is that we have started inquiries, we will give you details when they are completed,” said Mukuralinda.Turatsinze, who is currently detained at Kicukiro Police Station, is accused of soliciting a bribe of Rwf 2 million from a businessman, who had won a tender to supply the ministry with IT equipment, apparently with his backing.His arrest followed the arrest of another man identified as Rwego Harelimana, also detained at Kicukiro Police Station, who was caught red-handed with Rwf500,000, apparently given to him by the businessman.Rwego said he was acting on behalf of Turatsinze.Ladislas Ngendahimana, the Communication Specialist in the ministry, said that no formal notification has been forwarded to the ministry concerning the PS’s arrest. “It is in the hands of the police and prosecution,” he said.He also said that they are not aware of the said businessman, adding that they only know names of various companies that were contracted to supply the ministry with IT related equipment.