Police in the Western Province are hunting for an accountant who disappeared with at least Rwf8.8 million from the coffers of Karongi District.

Both Police and district authorities confirmed the incident which occurred late last week.

The suspect, who remained on the run, was identified as Laurent Ndatimana, the district accountant.

Karongi District mayor Bernard Kayumba told The New Times that they learnt about the theft last Thursday and immediately alerted the Police.

"That is the least we expected from the suspect as he had been a trusted employee,” the mayor said.

He said the money was meant for payment of district creditors.

The suspect is also said to have changed the original payment order and inflated the figure he was allowed to withdraw up to Rwf12.8m.

The money was then transferred to accounts of two individuals who withdrew it on his behalf, investigations revealed.

So far Rwf4m had been recovered and the two individuals, suspected of having connived with the accountant, detained, Police said.

One of them was arrested as he withdrew the Rwf4 million from his account, Police said.

The individuals were not employees of the district, according to Superintendent Emmanuel Hitayezu, the Western Region Police Spokesperson.

"Investigations are ongoing and we shall not rest until the suspect is apprehended,” Supt Hitayezu said.

Police called for any informationabout the whereabouts of the suspect or any other person connected to the theft.

Hitayezu also urged district authorities to cooperate with detectives in the ongoing investigations.