Giharo: embezzlement of district funds

Members of the district council ask for clarification on the case of embezzlement of more than 20 million Burundi francs. The diversion was detected by a delegation from the ministry in charge of internal affairs which visited the district of Giharo, province of Rutana (southeastern Burundi). A meeting is convened this Tuesday, December 27 to replace the district accountant. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Members of the district council of Giharo in the province of Rutana ask that clarification be shed on the embezzlement of funds from the district.

According to some members of this district council, an inspection mission from the commercial capital Bujumbura went to the district to “ensure control over the use of district taxes”, two weeks ago.

The team reportedly noted the disappearance of a sum which is said to be around 20 million Burundi francs. The accountant and the administrator of this district Lydia Nihimbazwe blame each other.

“The administrator reportedly appealed to the CNDD-FDD provincial secretary, Sylvain Nzikoruriho, and to the governor of Rutana, Olivier Nibitanga, to obtain their possible cover so that they are not prosecuted”, said a source close to the case.

The same source says that the two concerned reportedly gave bribes to members of the commission who made this inspection.

“Sylvain Nzikoruriho, secretary of the CNDD-FDD party in Rutana province reportedly went to Bujumbura to plead in favor of the district accountant and the administrator of Giharo so that they are not incriminated”, reassures another source familiar with the matter .

Members of the district council say that the minutes of the inspection team have not yet been released.

The information began to circulate when members of the district council learned of the convening of a meeting of the district council. The meeting which will take place this Tuesday, December 27 has as its agenda “the replacement of the district accountant”.

Some believe that this money was embezzled by Giharo’s administrator, Lydia Nihimbazwe, in collaboration with the district secretary of the CNDD-FDD, Rénovat Hakizimana, who is also president of the commission in charge of district finances and Sylvain Nzikoruriho, provincial secretary of the ruling party.

They demand an independent and impartial investigation to shed light on this case so that perpetrators of these embezzlements are punished without distinction.

“The embezzled funds must also be returned to the coffers of the district”, suggest members of the district council who confided in SOS Médias Burundi.