Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the police spokesperson for City of Kigali, said that Ndagijimana was arrested in Gahanga Sector, Kagasa Cell where he was receiving Rwf20, 000 from the would-be victim.

“Ndagijimana is a bricklayer but he was lying that he is charged with inspecting houses in Gahanga Sector, to ensure compliance in line with the master plan and issued construction permit. So, he was telling people that he can get them construction permits but requiring them to pay a certain amount of money to assist them,” CIP Umutesi said.

She added: “One of the would-be victims, whom he asked to pay Rwf20, 000 for the alleged service, decided to report him to the law enforcement in Gahanga, and Ndagijimana was arrested red-handed receiving the money.”

“This is an act of fraud, which should be reported for such people to face arrest. We also urge the public to go through legal channels to acquire any service instead of taking criminal shortcuts leading to their imprisonment,” she advised.

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.