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At least one person was shot dead this Monday December 14th, 2020 by the police while attempting to flee with a boat loaded with 52 million worth of loincloth (Kitenge).
According to the Burundian police four people were arrested and one shot dead while raiding smugglers sneaking in more than 1800 loincloths from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo via Lake Tangantika to Bujumbura.
“The smuggled Kitenge came from DRC and they were trying to smuggle them in via Lake Tanganyika at around 1:30 am local time,” a statement read from the Burundi home affairs ministry.
“The seized clothes will be sold and the money will be deposited in the treasury,” said Audace Niyonzima the Burundi Revenue Authority Commissioner General.
Mr. Niyonzima said that the boat which was used to smuggle in the loincloths was intercepted on Lake Tanganyika between “Cercle de la paix” and Bujumbura port.
It is reported that Burundi-DR Congo borders have frequently been used to smuggle in goods like alcohol, cloths, loincloths, jewellery, and telephones to Rumonge and Bujumbura via the Lake of Tanganyika or to Cibitoke and Bubanza Province via river Rusizi.
According to the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR) from January to April 2020, a total of BIF 2 billion Burundian francs were recovered from operations in fight against tax fraud, customs and smuggling.