English
Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police (RNP) reminds the public to be vigilant against individuals, who might seize the current situation to dupe the unwitting people claiming to be fumigating homes of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Although there is no such case reported so far, RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera urged the general public to mindful of such likely deceitful individuals.
“We have observed people’s concerns circulating on social media claiming that there is a group of people claiming to be either government officials or hired by the government to sanitize homes of COVID-19,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “There is ongoing sanitation of homes of already confirmed infected people by trained staff from the Ministry of Health supported by Rwanda National Police.”
The spokesperson called upon the public to report such acts of fraud by people impersonating government officials, to be arrested to face justice.
“We understand that this pandemic can cause unnecessary fears, anxiety and confusion that criminals might exploit to do illicit acts.
It is important now more than ever to not give in to fear and panic, and rely on official information. Rwanda National Police remains focused to keeping residents of Rwanda safe and secure, but counting on the usual public responsiveness and information sharing.”
According to article 276 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, states that any person who, in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations commit an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of five years not more than seven years and a fine of Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
Clause One of article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, defines fraud as deception, obtaining another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or offering positive promises or threats of future misfortunes.
Clause Two of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between two and three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million, upon conviction.
CP Kabera reminds the public to utilize the toll-free line 114 any information related to coronavirus, but the usual Police emergency line 112 also serves the purpose in these moments.
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