It was not a good weekend for rapper Joshua Tuyishime, alias Jay Polly and fellow artistes David Icyishaka, known by the stage name Davis D and Richard Ngabo, aka Kevin Kade, who are all in detention over alleged offences they committed at different times. Jay Polly was arrested on Friday, April 23, at his home in Kibagabaga suburb, with 11 other people, who had illegally gathered at his place to party, violating measures against Covid-19. The RNP Spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera, told journalists that the individuals were found drinking at Jay Polly’s home and were in possession of counterfeit Covid-19 negative tests. “All these are suspected crimes that will be investigated separately. We also found illegal substances including, marijuana inside the house and this will also be investigated and appropriate penalties will apply,” Kabera said. He pointed out that among those arrested is Rodrigue Maniriho, a medical practitioner with Kibagabaga District Hospital, who is accused of forging Covid-19 certificates for the group. Kabera also said that among those arrested is an individual from Mbazi sector in Huye District, one of the sectors with high cases of the new coronavirus in the Southern Province, currently with specific restrictions to contain the spread. Police said that the group was found in possession of different drugs, including a sexual enhancement drug locally known as, ‘Putulu’. The Police Spokesperson said that it is unfortunate that an artiste who should instead be composing songs to raise awareness on the Covid-19 pandemic is the one found violating measures to contain it, while the medical doctor who is also a frontline worker, was also involved. On his part, Jay Polly said that he was not aware of the big number of people in his house, claiming that he only invited over four people with whom he was supposed to sign a deal with, but later those individuals invited other people while he was away at the studio. “The reason I am here is because I violated Covid-19 measures. I was at home on Friday and Dr Rodrigue called me and said that there is a group of people who he wanted me to meet me to discuss a deal to promote their activities in Rwanda,” “They included two Americans and a Tanzanian. They have huge rice farms and want to expand to Rwanda. The idea was to work with them in terms of promoting their activities,” Jay Polly said, adding that after negotiating and signing the deal, he left to the studio and left them at his home. Twelve people, including Jay Polly, were arrested. Upon return, he claims that it was getting a bit late and he advised them to go home and he went to sleep since he was tired. He later woke up only to find police at home with many people. “I don’t know how all these people came about, but I admit that they were found in my home and I really apologize for that,” Jay Polly said, denying any knowledge for the said drugs which were allegedly found in his home. Ironically, Dr Maniriho is among the first medical workers who identified the first case of the new Coronavirus in Rwanda last year in March. He told journalists at Kigali Metropolitan Police headquarters in Remera that he was remorseful for his actions and apologized for facilitating the violation of Covid-19 measures. Jay Polly said that apart from apologizing, they were ready to pay the fines and serve any other penalties but begged for leniency but CP Kabera said that the law will take its course. Davis D, Kevin Kade in Meanwhile on Sunday Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) confirmed that it was holding three people who include the Incredible Records duo of David D and Kevin Kade, as well as a one Thierry Habimana for suspected defilement. The trio is suspects in a defilement case of a 17-year-old who was found at Habimana’s home. The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr Thierry B. Murangira, said that the trio are being investigated for suspected defilement and complicity in defilement. He said that the suspected crimes were committed at different times, between April 21 and April 24 when the victim was found at Habimana’s house. Habimana is a photographer and videographer. Murangira warned the general public against committing crimes that relate to child abuse, pointing out that RIB will not tolerate any acts that put lives of children on the line. Evidence has been sent to Rwanda Forensic Laboratory (RFL) for further investigations. The Micro singer was arrested just a day after releasing his latest song Pose. Under the Penal Code, Article 133 of Law No. 68/2018 of 30 August 2018, the trio could face between 20 to 25 years in jail if found guilty.
