Former Nyanza Mayor Ntazinda arrested after dismissal from office

By The Inspirer.

Erasme Ntazinda, the recently dismissed mayor of Nyanza District, has been arrested, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has confirmed.

The arrest comes just a day after an extraordinary meeting of the Nyanza District Council resolved to remove Ntazinda from office over what the council described as “failure to fulfil his responsibilities effectively.”

RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira confirmed the arrest on Wednesday but declined to disclose the charges facing Ntazinda, the location of his detention, or the timing of the arrest.

“It is true, Ntazinda Erasme has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation. We cannot say much at this point in order to avoid interfering with the investigation,” Murangira said in a written response.

The district council’s decision was announced on Tuesday, April 15, via an official statement shared on the district’s X account. The statement did not elaborate on the reasons behind the dismissal.

Ntazinda was serving his second five-year term as mayor, having been re-elected in November 2021. His term was due to run until November 2026.

According to the 2021 law governing districts, a district council has the authority to dismiss a councillor or members of the District Executive Committee in cases of misconduct or failure to perform official duties. The council can also impose administrative sanctions in accordance with the law.