Rwanda National Police (RNP) have arrested 14 people for violating the government directives meant to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The arrests occurred on Tuesday, April 28 in Muhanga District. Since the announcement of restrictions intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 by the Prime Minister, Police embarked on a campaign to sensitize people to comply with the directives, but some have remained adamant. “They are knowingly violating lockdown rules, risking their lives and those of other Rwandans. People are asked to stay home, but they violate the directives as if we (police) are doing nothing,” the RNP Spokesperson, Commissioner of Police John Bosco Kabera commented on the arrest. The group was arrested from a popular bar known as Plateau du Centre in Nyamabuye sector, Muhanga district. The bars in this area are notorious for violating the lockdown rules as some people are observed drinking throughout the day, according to area residents. “No one is above the law, and those who violate the lockdown will be punished accordingly. We are investigating all the cases and we are not going tolerate any misconduct, particularly by bars and restaurants,” says Jacqueline Kayitare, the district mayor. Among the 14 people caught red-handed, some admitted the violation, but others said that they were waiting for the rain to subside so they could take their drinks home. All of them have been detained and face a fine of Frw10,000 each. The bar owner was fined Rwf200,000. This comes after another batch of 40 people were arrested in Kigali for the same errand. The number of COVID-19 cases in Rwanda stands at 212 according to April 28 update. The total number of recoveries stands at 95 and the active cases, 117.
