Two employees from Nyanza District, including the Acting Executive Secretary of a sector and a staff member from the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), have been arrested by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) over alleged involvement in serious malpractices during a job recruitment exam.
On June 30, 2022, RIB arrested Muhire John Partait, the Information Technology Officer of Nyanza District, along with Munyurwa Landrie, a Human Resources Officer at RAB. On July 4, 2022, authorities also apprehended Mutesi Jean Pierre, the Acting Executive Secretary of Cyabakamyi Sector, who initially went into hiding before turning himself in.
The three suspects face two charges: unlawful decision-making based on favoritism, friendship, hatred, or nepotism, and the use of forged documents. The alleged crimes were committed on June 21, 2022, during an exam intended to recruit Executive Secretaries for the Cyabakamyi and Ntyazo sectors, which both had vacant Executive Secretary positions.
Information obtained by the media indicates that Muhire Partait provided the confidential password required to access the exam system to the two other suspects. They then completed the exam remotely, without being physically present at the examination sites in Busasamana Sector, where the test was officially conducted.
Despite not appearing at any of the designated exam locations, Munyurwa Landrie remarkably emerged as the top performer, scoring 95%. This triggered suspicion since those familiar with him had not seen him at the exam venues, as he was reportedly attending a RAB training in Musanze at the time.
The discrepancies prompted an investigation, which revealed that the suspects had manipulated the examination process to guarantee Landrie the job opportunity illegitimately.
RIB spokesperson, Dr. Thierry Murangira, emphasized the seriousness of the case and warned public servants and citizens against engaging in corruption and criminal behavior during recruitment processes.
“These crimes are severe. People must refrain from shortcuts and illegal practices. No one should deceive themselves into thinking they can commit a crime and get away with it,” he said.
If convicted, the suspects face prison sentences ranging from five to seven years and fines between one million and two million Rwandan francs.
Both Cyabakamyi and Ntyazo sectors currently remain without Executive Secretaries, following the dismissal of their former leaders over professional misconduct.
