A technician in Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) in Kamonyi District was arrested on Saturday for allegedly soliciting bribes from residents so as to fix their water connections.
Alfred Ntibizigirwa, 33, currently detained at Runda Police Station was arrested red-handed receiving a bribe of Rwf30, 000 from a resident in Rugogwe Village, Runda Sector, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the police spokesperson for the Southern region, said.
“A resident had requested the service provider — WASAC — to help in water connections, and Ntibizigirwa was sent to fix the faults but he instead demanded Rwf30, 000 from the resident as a prerequisite to fix the problem,” CIP Kayigi said.
“The resident decided to call the Police and Ntibizigirwa was arrested in the act receiving the money” he added.
Bernard Byamugisha, the WASAC Branch Manager in Nyarugenge District, which also covers Kamonyi, admitted that Ntibizigirwa is their employee, condemned the criminal behaviours.
“It’s true, our client in Kamonyi had called asking for help with his water connections and Ntibizigirwa was sent to fix the problem. These services are part of our responsibilities and offered free of charge. What Ntibizigirwa did is against WASAC rules as regulations, against our code of conduct and a criminal act that our country strives to fight,” Byamugisha said.
“We request our clients to always report technicians, who ask them money in exchange for the service. Corruption is a taboo in our country and in WASAC in particular,” he added.
Soliciting bribes under article 644 of the penal code, attracts a prison sentence of between one and three years, and a fine of twice to ten times the value of the illegal benefit solicited, promised or received.
The Express News
