The arrest of the former director-general of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Angelique Kantengwa, has once again shed light on the management of the pensions fund, which has in recent years come under scrutiny for its investment decisions.

Through its Twitter account, police announced that Ms Katengwa was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of committing a number of offences — including misuse of public property, appropriation of unlawful favours and illegal award of public tenders.

“Other accusations include giving for free or at a lower price [tenders for] the delivery of Rwandan public or private goods,” Rwanda National Police said in an announcement.

Several government-linked media reported that while Ms Kantengwa was the head of RSSB and chairperson of its real estate development arm, Ultimate Developers Limited (UDL), she allegedly got involved in cases of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds.

It is alleged that several companies were unlawfully paid for duplicating services while others received double payment. It was further claimed that tenders were awarded without firms going through a competitive process.

Favour the rich

Ms Kantengwa took over in June 2011 from Afrique Ramba, who was in an acting capacity. Mr Ramba, who was made deputy director-general, would later be sacked from the fund.

The sacking of Ms Kantengwa came after contributors complained about the board’s investment strategies, saying they did not favour contributors but the rich. She was replaced by her deputy, Dr Daniel Ufitikirezi, in February.

Unrest in the top leadership of the board began in 2010 when Henry Gaperi, who is credited with turning around the fund, was sacked in unclear circumstances.

In a veiled reference to the arrest, President Paul Kagame, while addressing local government leaders at Parliament on Friday, said the government will get tough on civil servants who misuse public funds.

“It should not only stop at relieving them of their duties and allow them to move out of the country to enjoy whatever they stole,” President Kagame said. “They should be arrested and prosecuted and whatever they stole recovered.”

Ms Kantengwa, an experienced Harvard School of Government graduate, worked with the central bank for 15 years before she was moved to RSSB. She is a member of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).