Gasabo Intermediate Court has postponed the substantive hearing in the case involving the Urukumbuzi estate, commonly referred to as Kwa Dubai in Kinyinya, to December 1. The individuals in question include Jean Nsabimana, the businessman behind the estate's construction, former Gasabo Mayor Stephen Rwamulangwa, former Vice Mayor Raymond Chrétien Mberabahizi, former Director of One Stop Center Jeanne d’Arc Nyirabihogo, and engineer Jean-Baptiste Bizimana. ALSO READ: ‘Kwa Dubai’ estate owner, former Gasabo District officials arrested Nsabimana faces charges of forgery and fraud, while the district officials have been accused of abusing their office. The decision to adjourn was driven by Nyirabihogo's request for a postponement due to her lawyer's absence. Nsabimana was absent from court and also encountered network issues while following the trial from a correctional facility. During the November 24 hearing, the presiding judge decided to postpone the trial to ensure Nsabimana's physical presence in court and to allow those lacking legal representation to have them in the next session. ALSO READ: Kwa Dubai estate: Residents speak out on substandard houses In April, the suspects were arrested and remanded concerning the construction of substandard housing units in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District. The matter gained attention due to the poor quality of the houses in question. In July, bail was granted to four suspects while Nsabimana remained remanded as per the lower court's decision. Prosecutors allege that in 2013, Nsabimana entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gasabo District to construct 300 affordable houses in Kinyinya. By 2017, 120 houses had been built and offered for sale at prices ranging from Rwf15 million to Rwf45 million. ALSO READ: Kwa Dubai: Homeowners to be relocated to pave way for renovation However, a 2015 report from the Rwanda House Authority (RHA) raised concerns about substandard quality. Despite instructions to rectify identified issues within a month, no action was taken. A subsequent 2017 inspection revealed persisting mistakes. Buyers encountered numerous problems with the houses, including leaking roofs, cracking walls, poor plumbing, unsafe electrical installations, and inadequate sewerage systems.
