Muyinga: three people detained for illegal sale of beans in Tanzania

Three men are detained in the central prison of Muyinga (north-eastern Burundi) over charges by the provincial court that they undermined the functioning of the national economy through the sale of beans in Tanzania. It was after a trial on Thursday that they were sent to the remand center. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Two of them received a one-year prison sentence. They will also have to pay a fine of three million each. The third detainee will serve a six-month prison sentence in addition to a fine of one million Burundian francs.

According to our sources, the people who appeared before the bar on Thursday were six.

Two were sentenced for “undermining the functioning of the national economy” for having been caught in possession of 80 kg of beans each. They wanted to transport them and sell them in Tanzania. It was dated October 28th. They are Vincent Nzambimana and Désiré Bizimana.

The third inmate is Hassan Rashid. He was apprehended on Wednesday evening. The man embarked in his vehicle more than 500 kgs bound for Tanzania. He was apprehended by Imbonerakure (members of the CNDD-FDD youth league, the presidential party) from the commune of Muyinga. He received a six-month prison sentence. He will also have to pay a fine of one million Burundian francs. His vehicle was confiscated and placed in the patrimony of the State.

The other three suspects were cleared by the Muyinga High Court. Although they were arrested in possession of 45 kg of beans, each they justified themselves. They indicated that they were going to sow them in their fields.

“Localities are administered by authorities who practice fraud and favor it. These localities are, among others, Murama in Muyinga commune and Kobero in Butihinda commune,” according to residents.