RLR V. 4- 2024
There is a conflict between judgments RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE as confirmed by RCAA 0010/14/CS, as they make irreconcilable decisions regarding the same property and parties, and both are final. In such a case, the later judgment (RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE and RCAA 0010/14/CS) must be annulled due to...
Source-derived case information.
- Parties
- Applicant: Rutayisire Jean de Dieu; Respondent: Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice; Respondent: Twagirayezu Béatha; Respondent: Umubyeyi Gabriella; Respondent: Kayigana Darlène Isaro
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- Rwanda
- Judgment Date
- 1 October 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Civil / Supreme Court Merits After Preliminary Objection
- Outcome
- Application allowed in part; conflicting judgments annulled; first judgment maintained; partial award of costs.
- Legal Topics
- Conflict of Judgments, Res Judicata, Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Rutayisire Jean de Dieu
Applicant
Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice
Respondent
Twagirayezu Béatha
Respondent
Umubyeyi Gabriella
Respondent
Kayigana Darlène Isaro
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Civil / Supreme Court Merits After Preliminary Objection
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether there is a conflict between judgments RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE as confirmed by RCAA 0010/14/CS; Whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve the conflict; Which judgment(s) should be annulled in case of conflict; Whether damages should be awarded.
Ratio Decidendi
There is a conflict between judgments RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE as confirmed by RCAA 0010/14/CS, as they make irreconcilable decisions regarding the same property and parties, and both are final. In such a case, the later judgment (RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE and RCAA 0010/14/CS) must be annulled due to procedural errors and violation of res judicata, and the first judgment (RC 0140/07/TB/NYB) remains valid. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve such conflicts as no other court is vested with this power under current law.
Court Disposition
Application allowed in part; conflicting judgments annulled; first judgment maintained; partial award of costs.
Orders
- Judgment RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE and RCAA 0010/14/CS are annulled.
- Judgment RC 0140/07/TB/NYB remains valid and enforceable.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
2099 paragraphs
# RLR V. 4- 2024
- Source: Amategeko - Section: Rwanda law reports - Date: 2024-10-01 - Collection: Supreme Court
## Text
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1 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD) REPUBLIC OF RWANDA SUPREME COURT P.o. Box. 2197 KIGALI www.judiciary.gov.rw ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO RWANDA LAW REPORTS BY’INKIKO Icyegeranyo V. 4 - 2024 Ukwakira, 2024 Law Reports V. 4 - 2024 October, 2024
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2 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
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3 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD) ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO RWANDA LAW REPORTS BY’INKIKO REPUBLIC OF RWANDA SUPREME COURT Po. Box. 2197 KIGALI www.judiciary.gov.rw Icyegeranyo V. 4 - 2024 Ukwakira, 2024 Law Reports V. 4 - 2024 October, 2024
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4 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
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5 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
ISHAKIRO
IMANZA ZIFASHISHIJWE ...................................................xiii AMAGAMBO MPINE ........................................................... xvii RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI ADD ..................................................................................................... 1 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC ....... 19 UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI .................. 31 Re. VALOIS JEAN MARIE ..................................................... 53 NIYONAGIZE v DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI ............ 63 NSENGIYUMVA v HAYTON LTD ....................................... 87 NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc ............................... 107 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI .. 145 BANKI NKURU Y'U RWANDA (BNR) v NGEZAHOGUHORA N’UNDI ............................................. 169 BATSINDA N’ABANDI V BIZIMANA N’UNDI ............... 191 UBUSHINJACYAHA v. BIMENYIMANA .......................... 215
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6 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
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7 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
ABAGIZE KOMITE Y’UBWANDITSI
I. ITSINDA RY’ABANYAMATEGEKO BATEGUYE IMANZA
KAGABO U. Stephanie
KAVUTSE M. Claude
KUBWIMANA Jean Claude
MUJABI K. Naphtal
NZAYISENGA Daniel
UWINKINDI Angelique
UWIMANA Jean Marie Vianney
RWAYITARE Eric
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8 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
II. KOMITE YEMEZA IMANZA
Prof. Dr. NGAGI M. Alphonse : Perezida wa Komite, Umucamanza mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire
Dr. MUHIRE G. Yves : Visi Perezida wa Komite, Umwarimu muri Kaminuza y’u Rwanda
BWIZA N. Blanche : Umwanditsi wa Komite, Umugenzuzi w’inkiko
RUKUNDAKUVUGA F. Regis : Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire
Dr. KARIMUNDA M. Aimé :
KALIHANGABO Isabelle :
Umuyobozi Mukuru wa ILPD
Umucamanza mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga
HABARUREMA Jean Pierre Perezida w’Urukiko Rukuru
KALIWABO Charles :
NKURUNZIZA Valens :
Umucamanza mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire
Umugenzuzi Mukuru w’inkiko BURAYOBERA UMUZAYIRE Bibiane : Visi Perezida wa Komisiyo y`u Rwanda ishinzwe Ivugururwa ry`amategeko
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9 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
NSENGIYUMVA Jean Claude : Umugenzuzi w’inkiko
KIBUKA Jean Luc : Umucamanza mu Rukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi
Dr. BIDERI Diogene : Umushinjacyaha ku Rwego rw’Igihugu
KABIBI Specioza : Intumwa ya Leta
MUREREREHE Saouda :
NINAHAZWE Roselyne : Umucamanza mu Rukiko Rukuru
Umushinjacyaha ku Rwego rw’Igihugu
Lt Col CYUBAHIRO NSENGIYUMVA Narcisse :
Umucamanza mu Rukiko rwa Gisirikare
Dr. NSHIMIYIMANA Didace :
GIRANEZA Clémentine :
Dr MBONIGABA Callixte :
Umucamanza mu Rukiko Rukuru
Umucamanza mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye
Umwarimu muri INES - Ruhengeri
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10 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
KAMALI Jean Damascene
BAGABO Faustin :
Dr ZIKAMABAHARI Jean de Dieu :
KARAKE Canisius :
HABIMANA Pie :
UMUTESI Vestine :
Umwarimu muri ULK
Avoka mu Rugaga rw’Abavoka
Umwarimu muri University Of Kigali
Umwarimu muri UNILAK
Avoka mu Rugaga rw’Abavoka
Umucamanza mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi
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11 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
IRIBURIRO
Basomyi bacu, Tunejejwe no kubagezaho Icyegeranyo cy’Ibyemezo by’Inkiko, Volime 4 [2024]. Nk’uko mumaze kubimenyera, tubahitiramo imanza zikubiyemo bimwe mu bisubizo by’ibibazo muhura nabyo kenshi, haba mu mirimo yanyu ndetse no mu buzima bwa buri munsi. Muri iyi nomero murasangamo imanza cumi na rumwe (11) zikurikira: urubanza rumwe (1) rw’inshinjabyaha, imanza eshatu (3) z’imbonezamubano, imanza eshatu (3) z’umurimo, imanza eshatu (3) zerekeranye n’ububasha bw’inkiko, n’urubanza rumwe (1) rwerekeranye n’imiburanishirije y’imanza. Dr NTEZILYAYO Faustin Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga akaba na Perezida w’Inama Nkuru y’Ubucamanza
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12 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
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13 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
IBIKUBIYE MURI IKI CYEGERANYO Iki Cyegeranyo gikubiyemo imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire.
INYITO Imanza ziri muri iyi volime zikoreshwa muri ubu buryo: [2024] 4 RLR
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14 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
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15 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
AMATEGEKO YASHINGIWEHO
a. Amategeko akoreshwa ubu Itegeko N° 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’ishinjabyaha, Ingingo ya 188, igika cya mbere…………………………33 Ingingo ya 183,5o na 6o…………………………………..216 Itegeko Nº 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 nk’uko ryahinduwe n’Itegeko Nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, Ingingo ya 59 n’iya 114……………...216 Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, Ingingo ya 3…………………………………………………66 Ingingo ya 29……………………………………………...110 Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, Ingingo ya 52, Igika cya 2, agace ka 8………………….21 Ingingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°)…………………………………………………………33 Ingingo ya 55……………………………………………..110 Ingingo ya 52, igika cya mbere…………………………216 Itegeko n° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/4/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, Ingingo ya 10 n’iya 155………………………………….34 Ingingo ya 106, 6o; 103,6o; 185…………………………...54 Ingingo ya 111………………………………………………66 Ingingo ya 12………………………………………………..89 Ingingo ya 111……………………………………………110 Ingingo ya 14, 111……………………………………….148
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16 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
Ingingo ya 111……………………………………………171 Ingingo ya 12, 111……………………………………….193 Itegeko Nº 45/2011 ryo ku wa 25/11/2011 rigenga amasezerano, ingingo ya 64 n’iya 70…………………………………….………110 Itegeko N° 15/2004 ryo ku wa 12/06/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mu manza n’itangwa ryabyo, Ingingo ya 3……………………………………………….67 Ingingo ya 3……………………………………………….90 Ingingo ya 106……………………………………………148
b. Amategeko yakuweho ariko yakoreshwaga igihe ikibazo cyavukaga Itegeko Ngenga Nº 03/2012/OL ryo ku wa 13/06/2012 ryagenaga imiterere, imikorere n’ububasha by’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ingingo ya 29…………………………………………………………3 Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo, Ingingo ya 28………………………………………………..67 Ingingo ya 1, 15, 33 n’iya 47………………………………90 Ingingo ya 21, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33 n’iya 34………….…..110 Itegeko N° 06/2003 ryo ku wa 22/03/2003 rihindura kandi ryuzuza Itegeko-Teka ryo ku wa 22/08/1974 rigena ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi, ingingo ya 2……………………….90 Itegeko Nº 51/2001 ryo ku wa 30/12/2001 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 17, 29 n’iya 33…………………………….90 Itegeko-Teka No 21/79 ryo kuwa 23 Nyakanga 1979 ryerekeye kwimura abantu kubera imirimo ifitiye Igihugu akamaro ryemejwe n’Itegeko N° 01/82 ryo kuwa 26/01/1982…………193.
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17 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
IMANZA ZIFASHISHIJWE Banque Populaire du Rwanda Ltd na Sekamana Naason n’Abagenzi be; RSOCA 00017/2018/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru kuwa 30/11/2018………………………………………...111 Busoro Gervais na Busoro Mugunga Desire n’abandi, RS/INJUST/RC 00022/2018/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 21/06/2021……………………………………………………67 Coopérative de Développement des Anciens Chauffeurs de l’Etat (CODACE) na Ntaganda, RS/INJUST/RCOM 00006/2021/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 17/06/2022…………111 FARAJA HOTEL Ltd v COGEBANQUE Plc, RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 05/03/2021…………………………………………………………...21 FENG Zhigang, Ndayisaba Emmanuel na Mugiraneza Vincent, RC 00002/2022/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 20/03/2023…………………………………………………………...4 MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd na UNITEX RWANDA Ltd, RCOM 00002/2019/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 27/09/2019…………………………………………………………...4 Muhirwa n’undi v Nzeyimana, RPAA 0021/2016/CS-RPAA 0002/2016/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 12/5/2017…………………………………………………………….34 Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré na Banki ya Kigali Ltd, RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga kuwa 18/01/2013………….……………………………………………...110 Ngizweninshuti v Muhima, RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 21/02/2020……….…..172
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18 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
Niwemugeni Jeannette na KCB Bank Rwanda Plc, RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 31/01/2020………………………...…………..67 Nishimwe n’undi v Mugenga, RCAA 00031/2016/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 25/09/2019……….……………..172 Ntukamazina Jean Baptiste na Prime Insurance Ltd (PRIME), RSOCAA 0001&0002/16/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 14/10/2016………………………………………….………….110 Phoenix Metal na Rwanteli Ntagara Innocent, RSOCAA 0023/09/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku itariki ya 18/06/2010…………………………………………………………...90 RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd v Dusabimana, RS/INJUST/RC 00005/2021/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 21/01/2022…………………………………………………172 RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd v COGEBANQUE Plc, RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 04/11/2022……………………………………………………21 Rugenera Marc na Soras Assurances Générales Ltd (SORAS AG), RSOCAA 0003/15/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 05/05/2016……………………………….…………………….110 Twagirayezu Alice n’abandi v Twagirayezu Albert n’undi, RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2020/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 10/12/2021…………………………….……………………172 Ubushinjacyaha v. Habiyakare, RPAA 00013/2020/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 31/12/2021…………….………217 Ubushinjacyaha v. Munyagishari, RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 7/5/2021………….…217
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19 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
Ubushinjacyaha v. Rusesabagina n’abandi, RPA 00060/2021/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 04/04/2022………….217 UJM CONSULTANCY AND PARTNERS Ltd, RCOMAA 00109/2022/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 23/3/2023…………………………………………………………….34 Umuhoza Annonciata na Ndayisenga Protais, RC 00008/2017/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 28/09/2018…………..………………………………………………...4 Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd na Niyonsaba Clémentine, RSOCA 00206/2018/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru kuwa 24/05/2019…………………………………….…………………...111 Uwimana Marie Paul n’Abagenzi be n’Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd, RSOCA 00224/2018/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru kuwa 24/05/2019……………………….………………...111
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20 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
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XXI AMAGAMBO MPINE
AMAGAMBO MPINE 1. Amategeko agenga imanza imbonezamubano – Kudahungabanywa mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe – Umugurisha yishingira ko uwo agurishije atagira ikimuhungabanya mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe kandi agomba kwishyura cyangwa agasaba ko umuguzi yishyurwa n’umuvutsa ibyo yaguze. Niyo mu gihe cy’igurisha haba ntacyateganijwe ku bwishingire, ugurisha ategetswe kwishingira kuba uwaguze yavutswa uburenganzira ku mutungo yaguze wose cyangwa igice cyawo, cyangwa yakwishyuzwa imyenda kuri wo atamenyeshejwe mu gihe cy’igurisha biturutse ku burenganzira bw’undi. BANKI NKURU Y'U RWANDA (BNR) v NGEZAHOGUHORA N’UNDI……………………169 2. Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza – Ububasha bw’Inkiko – Urukiko rufite ububasha ku manza ziviguruzanya – Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nirwo rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma, uyu murongo ukaba uhinduye uwari warafashwe mu manza zaciwe mbere RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI ADD……………………………………….1 Kwihana umucamanza – Ikirego cy’ihutirwa – Kuba umucamanza yaraburanishije ikirego cy’ihutirwa si impamvu yo kumwihana mu kirego cy’iremezo Re. VALOIS JEAN MARIE…………………………...53 Ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza – Habaho ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza iyo hari ibyemezo bitandukanye by’inkiko bitagishoboye kujuririrwa kandi bikaba bidashobora XXI
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XXII ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
kurangizwa icyarimwe, inkiko zaregewe zikaba zikwiye kwemeza imanza cyangwa urubanza rukwiye kuvaho RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI…………………………………………..145 Ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza – Urubanza ruteshwa agaciro – Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari urundi rubanza rwaciwe mbere ku mpamvu zimwe, ku kiburanwa kimwe, hagati y’ababuranyi bamwe kandi rwabaye ndakuka (autorité de la chose jugée), hakurwaho urubanza rwa kabiri hakagumaho urwa mbere rwabaye ndakuka – Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari imanza ebyiri zidashobora kubangikanywa (deux décisions inconciliables) kandi zidashobora kurangirizwa rimwe, hateshwa agaciro rumwe muri izo manza cyangwa zombi RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI…………………………………………..145 3. Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza zisabirwa gusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane – Inzitizi yatuma urubanza rutaburanishwa mu mizi – Iyo Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yemeje ko urubanza rwongera kuburanishwa ku mpamvu z’akarengane, nta yindi nzitizi yakirwa irebana n’impamvu zituma urubanza rutakirwa, cyeretse umuburanyi ashoboye kugaragaza impamvu idasanzwe, nko kuba harabayeho kwibeshya ku bihe byo gutanga ikirego. NIYONAGIZE v DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI………………………………………………..63 4. Amategeko agenga ububasha bw’inkiko – Urukiko rw’Ubujurire – Ubujurire bwa kabiri – Agaciro k’ikiburanwa – Ubujurire bwa kabiri ntibwakirwa iyo ikiburanwa kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga
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XXIII AMAGAMBO MPINE
METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC……………………………………………………..19 Ubujurire bwa kabiri – Ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri imanza zaciwe hashingiwe ku itegeko ritariho – Amagambo ‘’itegeko ritariho’’ agomba kumvikana mu buryo bw’itegeko ritagikoreshwa (loi abrogée/ replealed law), cyangwa itegeko ritaratangira gukoreshwa (loi non encore en vigueur/ law not yet in force), cyangwa se itegeko ritigeze ribaho (qui n’a jamais existé/ a law that never existed) UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI……31 Ubujurire bwa kabiri – Kutubahiriza ibiteganywa n’amategeko ntibiri mu mpamvu zatuma ubujurire bwa kabiri bwakirwa, bukaburanishwa mu mizi, ntibinafatwa kandi nko gushingira ku itegeko ritariho, ahubwo ni amakosa yakosorwa binyuze mu zindi nzira ziteganwa n’Itegeko UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI……31 5. Amategeko agenga umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Gusesa amasezerano y’umurimo – Inshingano yo gutanga ibimenyetso – Igihe havutse impaka, umukoresha washeshe amasezerano niwe utanga ibimenyetso bigaragaza ko umukozi yakoze ikosa cyangwa yagize imyitwarire mibi NIYONAGIZE v DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI………………………………………………..63 Amasezerano y’umurimo – Gusesa amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kizwi – Iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo rikozwe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko ritangirwa indishyi zitandukanye
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XXIV ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
NIYONAGIZE v DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI………………………………………………..63 Amasezerano y’umurimo – Umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano y’umurimo – Afatwa nk’umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano ariko atanditse, umukozi umaze nibura igihe kigeze ku mezi atandatu yikurikiranye kandi mu buryo buhoraho akorera umukoresha umwe – Umukozi uvuga ko agomba gufatwa muri ubwo buryo, agomba kugaragaza ibimenyetso byerekana ko yakoze koko icyo gihe mu buryo buhoraho NSENGIYUMVA v HAYTON LTD……………….....87 Amasezerano y’umurimo – Abakozi b’igihe gito – Ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi – Buri mukozi agomba gutangirwa imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize, n’ubwo yaba akora mu buryo bw’imirimo idashingiye ku masezerano y’akazi yanditse (secteur informel) cyangwa mu gihe yaba akora imirimo igihe gito NSENGIYUMVA v HAYTON LTD………………….87 Amasezerano y’umurimo – Gusezererwa mu kazi ku mpamvu z'ubukungu – Kumenyasha umugenzuzi w’umurimo – Igihe cyo kumenyesha umugenzuzi w’umurimo – Umugenzuzi w’umurimo agomba kumenyeshwa urutonde rw’abagomba gusezererwa kubera impamvu z’ubukungu mbere y’uko abakozi basezererwa, agahabwa umwanya wo kugenzura niba koko abari kuri urwo rutonde ari bo bagomba gusezererwa, kandi niba rwarakozwe hubahirijwe ibyo amategeko asaba NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc…………..107 Amategeko agenga umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Iseswa ry’amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kitazwi – Gutanga integuza – Iyo nta nteguza yatanzwe n'umukoresha ariko
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XXV AMAGAMBO MPINE
akayivunja mu mafaranga ntabwo bifatwa ko nta nteguza yatanzwe, bityo nta zindi ndishyi zijyanye nabyo zongera gutangwa NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc…………..107 6. Amategeko nshinjabyaha – Impamvu nyoroshyacyaha – Kwemera icyaha – Kwemera icyaha bwa mbere mu bujurire ntibishobora kubera ubikora impamvu nyoroshyacyaha kuko binyuranye nibiteganywa mu ngingo ya 59 y’itegeko no 68/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange UBUSHINJACYAHA v. BIMENYIMANA……….215 7. Itegeko rigenga iyimurwa – Iyimurwa mu rwego rwo gushyira mu bikorwa igishushanyo mbonera cy’imikoreshereze y’ubutaka – Umuntu wahawe umutungo n’urwego rwa Leta rubifitiye ububasha, ugizwe n’inzu ndetse n’ubutaka mu rwego rw’iyimurwa ku nyungu rusange (expropriation) nawe agatanga ingurane ikwiye yategetswe, aba yahawe uwo mutungo mu buryo bukurikije Amategeko agenga iyimurwa, ntabwo yahugabanywa ku burenganzira kuri uwo mutungo BATSINDA N’ABANDI V BIZIMANA N’UNDI…..191
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IMANZA ZIREBANA N’UBUBASHA BW’INKIKO
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1 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI ADD [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA - RC 00001/2023/SC (Ntezilyayo, P.J., Mukamulisa, Cyanzayire, Hitiyaremye, Karimunda, J.) 28 Nyakanga 2023] Amategeko y’imiburanishirize y’imanza – Ububasha bw’Inkiko – Urukiko rufite ububasha ku manza ziviguruzanya - Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nirwo rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma, uyu murongo ukaba uhinduye uwari warafashwe mu manza zaciwe mbere. Incamake y’ikibazo: Kahabaye yapfuye afite abana batatu aribo Rutayisire, Umubyeyi na Rutaganda ariko nabo bakaba barapfuye hasigara Rutayisire. Umubyeyi yari yarashakanye na Kayigana babyarana abana babiri aribo bazungura be bahagarariwe na se Kayigana, na Rutanganda nawe yabyaye abana babiri aribo Twagirayezu na Mukankurikiyimana. Abazungura ba Umubyeyi bahagarariwe na Kayigana batanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo basaba kuzungura, Urukiko rwemeza ko abazungura ba Umubyeyi bagabana na Rutayisire imitungo ya Kahabaye. Nyuma yo kwemezwa ko ari bene Rutaganda, Twagirayezu na Mukankurikiyimana batambamiye urwo rubanza, Urukiko rwisumbye rwemeza ko nabo bagabana ku mitungo izungurwa. Rutayisire n’abazungura ba Umubyeyi bajuririye icyo cyemezo mu Rukiko Rukuru, rwemeza ko icyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko XXI
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2 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
Rwisumbuye gikuweho kuko icyo cyemezo cyahinduraga ikindi cyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze cyari cyaramaze kuba itegeko. Twagirayezu na Mukankurikiyimana bajuririye mu Urukiko rw’Ikirenga hanyuma rusanga Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwari rufite ububasha maze rutesha agaciro icyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, rugumishaho icyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge. Rutayisire yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire arusaba gukemura ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017, icyo kirego nticyakirwa kubera ko muri izo manza harimo urwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, mu gihe Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ivuguruzanya ry’imanza zaciwe n’inkiko ziri munsi yarwo cyangwa ubwarwo rwaciye. Rutayisire yiyambaje Urukiko rw’Ikirenga asaba ko hakemurwa ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya hagati y’izo manza, ruracyakira rusuzuma ikibazo cyo kumenya niba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ububasha bwo gukemura impaka zishingiye ku ivuguruzanya ry’imanza. Mukankurikiyimana na Twagirayezu batanze inzitizi z’iburabubasha bavuga ko urega ashaka ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwongera gusuzuma icyemezo RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciye mbere kandi binyuranije n’amategeko kuko rwaciye urwo rubanza rubanje gusoma neza urubanza RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwateshejwe agaciro, rubona gufata icyemezo. Akomeza asobanura ko ahubwo urega yagakwiye kuba yarasubirishijemo urubanza ingingo nshya cyangwa akajya mu karengane. Rutayisire asobanura ko iyi nzitizi idakwiye guhabwa ishingiro kuko itegeko rigena ububasha bw'inkiko ritigeze riteganya
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3 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
urukiko rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ikibazo cy'imanza zivuguruzanya, ariko ko mu rubanza No RC 00008/2017/SC, Urukiko rw'lkirenga rwavuze ko Urukiko rw'Ubujurire arirwo rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ibirego birebana n’ivuguruzanya ry’imanza bityo ko ashingiye kuri icyo cyemezo yatanze ikirego cye mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire ariko nticyakirwa akaba asanga Urukiko rw’Ikirenga arirwo rufite ububasha kuko na none arirwo rutanga imirongo izindi nkiko zigenderaho. Incamake y’icyemezo: Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nirwo rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma. Kubera iyo mpamvu, uyu murongo uhinduye uwari warafashwe mu manza zaciwe mbere n’uru Rukiko zirimo urubanza Nº RC 00008/2017/SC n’urubanza Nº RCOM 00002/2019/SC; bityo rero inzitizi y’iburabubasha yatanzwe nta shingiro ifite. Inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yatanzwe nta shingiro ifite; Amategeko yifashishijwe atagikoreshwa: Itegeko Ngenga Nº 03/2012/OL ryo ku wa 13/06/2012 ryagenaga imiterere, imikorere n’ububasha by’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ingingo ya 29. Code de procédure civile et commerciale de la Tunisie, article 175 (5); Code de procédure civile du Royaume du Maroc. Article 390; Loi organique N° 2008-35 du 7 août 2008 portant création de la Cour suprême du Sénégal, Titre 1, point 3;
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4 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
Loi N° 2008-07 du 28 Fevrier 2011 portant code de procédure civile, Commerciale, sociale, administrative et des comptes, article 690. Décret 79-941 1979-11-07 art. 2 JORF 9 novembre 1979 en vigueur le 1 janvier 1980, article 618. Imanza zifashishijwe: RC 00008/2017/SC, Umuhoza Annonciata na Ndayisenga Protais, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 28/09/2018. RCOM 00002/2019/SC, MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd na UNITEX RWANDA Ltd, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 27/09/2019. RC 00002/2022/CA, FENG Zhigang, Ndayisaba Emmanuel na Mugiraneza Vincent, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 20/03/2023. Inyandiko z’abahanga zifashishijwe: Rigaux, F., & Dabin, J., La nature du contrôle de la Cour de cassation, Bruxelles, Etablissements Émile Bruylant,1966, p.20. Beim, D., & Rader, K. (2018). Legal Uniformity in American Courts. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, p 16); Hugh Evander Willis, Some Conflicting Decisions of the United States Supreme Court, Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington, p 21. Graeme Cowie, The UK Supreme Court, house of commons library, parliament, UK, 2022, P.12-13.
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5 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, Umubyeyi Catherine (+) na Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène (+) ni bene Kahabaye Joseph (+). Umubyeyi Catherine yasize abana 2, aribo Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella. Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène nawe yasize abana 2 aribo Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice. [2] Abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine aribo Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella bahagarariwe na se Kayigana Jean Baptiste, batanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo barega Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, basaba kugabana imitungo yasizwe na Kahabaye Joseph1. [3] Mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008, Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo rwemeje ko Rutayisire Jean de Dieu agabana imitungo ya nyakwigendera Kabahaye Joseph n’abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine, rutegeka ko: i. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yegukana inzu irimo butike 3 iri ku Kivugiza hamwe n’ikibanza gifatanye nazo, ishyamba riri munsi yazo, isambu iri mu gishanga ku Giticyinyoni, ikibanza kiri i Nyamirambo mu Gatare, igipande cy’isambu iri i Bugesera, ibyo Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yikubiye bifite agaciro ka 10.505.000 Frw.
1 Urubanza rwahawe no RC 0559/05/TD/NYB/RC 38788/02, ruza gusibwa, abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine bongera kurubyutsa rwandikwa kuri no RC 0140/07/TB/NYB.
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6 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
ii. Abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine aribo Kayigana Isaro Darlène na Umubyeyi Gabriella begukana inzu ya nyina wa Umubyeyi Catherine witwaga Mukankusi Antoniya iri ku Kivugiza, inzu ikodeshwa iri i Nyamirambo kuri kaburimbo, itongo rya Kahabaye Joseph riri ku Kivugiza, isambu iri i Zivu n’igipande cy’isambu iri mu Bugesera, runategeka abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine kugurisha ikibanza cya nyakwigendera Kahabaye kiri ku Kicukiro bakubaka itongo ry’uwo nyakwigendera. [4] Nyuma yo kwemezwa ko ari bene Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène bikozwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo mu rubanza No RC 0268/08/TB/NYB - RC 0269/08/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 20/06/2008, Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice batambamiye urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo, basaba ko nabo bagira uruhare ku mutungo wa nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph. Ikirego cyabo cyahawe N° RC 0471/09/TB/NYB ariko nticyakirwa, batanga ikindi kirego mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, basaba kubona uruhare rwa se ku mutungo wa nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph. [5] Mu rubanza No RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, rwemeje ko ikirego cy’abazungura ba Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène gifite ishingiro, rutegeka ko: i. Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice bahabwa inzu irimo butike 3 iri ku Kivugiza, hamwe n’ikibanza n’ishyamba bifatanye n’izo butike, inzu ikodeshwa iri i Nyamirambo n’isambu iri Zivu.
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7 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
ii. Abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine aribo Kayigana Isaro Darlène na Umubyeyi Gabriella bahawe kuzungura inzu ya nyina wa Umubyeyi Catherine witwaga Mukankusi iri ku Kivugiza, ikibanza kiri i Nyamirambo mu Gatare, isambu iri mu Bugesera n’ikibanza kiri ku Kicukiro. iii. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu we ahabwa itongo rya nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph riri ku Kivugiza, isambu iri mu gishanga cya Giticyinyoni, n’ibyo yikubiye bifite agaciro gahwanye na 10.505.000 Frw. [6] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu n’abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine bajuririye urwo rubanza mu Rukiko Rukuru, bavuga ko Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rutari rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha uru rubanza, no kuba nta nyungu abazungura ba Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène bafite zo gusaba umugabane mu mutungo utakiriho kuko urubanza rwawugabanyije rwabaye itegeko2. [7] Mu rubanza N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG rwaciwe ku wa 30/12/2013, Urukiko Rukuru, rushingiye ku kuba Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rutari
2 Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yaburanye avuga ko yagurishije imwe mu mitungo yatsindiye mu rubanza n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ku wa 29/02/2008, igizwe n’inzu irimo butike 3 iherereye Kivugiza na Sibomana Eugène kuri 10.000.000 Frw nk’uko biri mu masezerano y’ubugure bagiranye ku wa 25/09/2011 ndetse no mu masezerano y’ubugure yabereye imbere ya noteri w’ubutaka ubwo bakoraga mutation ku wa 02/10/2014. (Mu ibaruwa yo ku wa 04/01/2019, Ikigo gishinzwe imicungire y’ubutaka cyandikiye Mukankurikiyimana wari wagisabye amakuru ku kibanza gifite UPI 1/01/08/01/356 kiri ku Cyivugiza, kimumenyesha ko cyanditse kuri SIBOMANA Eugène wakiguze na Rutayisire Jean de Dieu).
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8 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
rufite ububasha bwo guhindura ibyemejwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo mu rubanza n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB kandi rwarabaye itegeko, rwemeje ko urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rukuweho. [8] Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice bajuriye mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga bavuga ko bakwiye kugira uruhare ku mutungo wasizwe na nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph. [9] Mu rubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe ku wa 17/03/2017, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwasanze Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwari rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ikirego rwari rwaregewe, rutesha agaciro urubanza N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG, rutegeka ko hagumaho imikirize y’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE. [10] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire arusaba gukemura ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017, Umwanditsi Mukuru yemeza ko ikirego cye kitakiriwe kubera ko mu manza asabira gukemurirwa ivuguruzanya harimo urwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, mu gihe Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ivuguruzanya ry’imanza mu gihe zaciwe n’inkiko ziri munsi yarwo cyangwa ubwarwo rwaciye. [11] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yahise atanga ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga arusaba gukemura ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA
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9 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga. Avuga ko ariyo nzira yonyine yakemura ikibazo cy’uburenganzira bwe n’ubw’abaregwa kuko bugonganira ku mutungo umwe hashingiwe ku manza 2 zabaye itegeko. [12] Mu myanzuro yabo, uruhande rwa Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice rwatanze inzitizi, aho bavuze ko ikirego cyatanzwe n’abo baburana kidakwiye kwakirwa kubera ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nta bubasha rugifiteho. [13] Urubanza rwaburanishijwe mu ruhame ku wa 26/06/2023 Rutayisire Jean de Dieu ahagarariwe na Me Niyondora Nsengiyumva na Me Nkeza Sempundu Clément, Mukankurikiyinka Béatrice yunganiwe na Me Seburikoko Jérémie akanahagararira Twagirayezu Béatha, naho Umubyeyi Gabriella na Kayigana Darlène bahagarariwe na Me Habineza Gasore Gilbert, ababuranyi bajya impaka ku kibazo cyo kumenya niba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha uru rubanza. II. IKIBAZO KIRI MU RUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYACYO i. Kumenya niba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ububasha bwo gukemura impaka zishingiye ku ivuguruzanya ry’imanza [14] Me Seburikoko Jérémie uhagarariye Twagirayezu Béatha akanunganira Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice yatanze inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga aho avuga ko Rutayisire Jean de Dieu asa nk’usaba ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwongera
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10 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
gusuzuma urubanza n° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciye mbere kandi binyuranyije n’amategeko. [15] Avuga kandi ko Urukiko rw'Ikirenga rwaciye urwo rubanza rwabanje gusoma bihagije urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB mbere yo gufata icyemezo, ko bitashoboka ko rwongera gusuzuma ibyerekeranye n'urwo rubanza mu gihe Rutayisire Jean de Dieu atiyambaje inzira yo gusubirishamo urubanza ingingo nshya cyangwa gusubirishamo urubanza ku mpamvu z'akarengane. Asanga kandi ikibazo kiri muri uru rubanza kiramutse kijyanye no gukemura impaka ku ivuguruzanya ry’imanza, uru Rukiko ari rwo rwazikemura, ko ariko abona izo mpaka ntazihari. [16] Akomeza avuga ko iyo Umuhesha w'Inkiko washatse kurangiriza urubanza Rutayisire Jean de Dieu abona ko bidashoboka ku mpamvu zo kuvuguruzanya kw’imanza, aba yarabikoreye raporo kugira ngo Rutayisire Jean de Dieu ayitwaze asaba ko urubanza rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane. [17] Me Niyondora Nsengiyumva uburanira Rutayisire Jean de Dieu avuga ko iyi nzitizi idakwiye guhabwa ishingiro kuko itegeko rigena ububasha bw'lnkiko ritigeze riteganya ku buryo busobanutse Urukiko rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ikibazo cy'imanza zivuguruzanya, ariko ko mu rubanza No RC 00008/2017/SC, rwari hagati ya Umuhoza Annonciata na Ndayisenga Protais, Urukiko rw'lkirenga rwavuze ko Urukiko rw'Ubujurire arirwo rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ibirego birebana n’ivuguruzanya ry’imanza. [18] Asobanura ko ashingiye kuri icyo cyemezo, Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yabanje kuregera Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, ariko Umwanditsi Mukuru warwo yemeza ko ikirego cye kitakiriwe
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11 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
ashingiye ku mpamvu y’uko rumwe mu manza zivuguruzanya rwaciwe n'Urukiko rw'lkirenga. Avuga ko yemeranywa n’icyo cyemezo, kubera ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ari rwo rutanga umurongo ku zindi nkiko, ko rero Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rukwiye gusuzuma ibijyanye gusa n’ivuguruzanya z’imanza zaciwe n’inkiko zo hasi. [19] Me Nkeza Sempundu Clément nawe uburanira Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, yongeraho ko kuba Me Seburikoko Jérémie avuga ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rudafite ububasha bwo kuburanisha uru rubanza, nyamara ntagaragaze urundi rukiko rubufite, bitesha agaciro inzitizi yatanze. [20] Akomeza avuga ko kuba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga arirwo rutanga umurongo ugomba gukurikizwa n’izindi nkiko, arirwo rukwiye gusuzuma uru rubanza, ariko bigakorwa nk'uko imanza z'akarengane zisuzumwa, noneho Perezida w'Urukiko rw'lkirenga mu gihe asanze hari ukuvuguruzanya kw'imanza, akagena urukiko ruzaruburanisha. [21] Me Habineza Gasore Gilbert uhagarariye Kayigana Isaro Darlène na Umubyeyi Gabriella avuga ko Me Seburikoko Jérémie yirengagiza ko hari imanza 2 zafashe icyemezo ku kintu kimwe kandi zose zikaba zarabaye itegeko, ko ubusanzwe amategeko agena inzira n’uburyo bukoreshwa kugira ngo urubanza rwabaye itegeko rwongere ruburanishwe hagamijwe gutesha agaciro icyemezo cyarufashwemo, nyamara akaba atari byo byakozwe na Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice kuko aho gukurikiza inzira zose nk’uko ziteganyijwe n’amategeko bo bahisemo gutanga ikirego gishya mu rukiko rutandukanye n’urwari rwafashe icyemezo mbere.
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[22] Akomeza avuga ko kuba hari ibyemezo bibiri (2) byabaye itegeko kandi nyamara bivuguruzanya kuko hari imitungo yahawe Rutayisire Jean de Dieu mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYBO ndetse no mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 rwanashimangiwe mu rubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS iyo mitungo ikongera igahabwa Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice nyamara baremejwe nk’abazungura ba Kahabaye Joseph nyuma y’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga arirwo rwakemura icyo kibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ku byemezo bitandukanye byafashwe n’inkiko, buri wese akamenya umutungo agomba kwegukana. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [23] Ku bijyanye n’ikibazo cy’imanza zivuguruzanya, ingingo ya 29 y ‘Itegeko Ngenga Nº 03/2012/OL ryo ku wa 13/06/2012 ryagenaga imiterere, imikorere n’ububasha by’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yateganyaga ko uru Rukiko ari rwo rufite ububasha bwo kugikemura. Nyuma y’ivugurura ry’amategeko ajyanye n’Urwego rw’Ubucamanza yabaye muri 2018, harimo n’Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’Inkiko rikurikizwa ubu, ibijyanye n’ububasha bwo gukemura ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’imanza ntibyateganyijwe muri iryo Tegeko, bivuze ko nta rukiko rwahawe ubwo bubasha. [24] Mu rubanza Nº RC 00008/2017/SC rwaciwe ku wa 28/09/2018 haburana Umuhoza Annonciata na Ndayisenga Protais, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, rwasanze kuba ububasha bwo gusuzuma ibirego bijyanye no kuvuguruzanya hagati y’imanza butarateganyijwe mu Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018,
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13 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
atari ku mpamvu z’uko Umushingamategeko yashatse ko ibyo birego bitazajya bikemurwa, ahubwo ko byibagiranye. [25] Rwatanze umurongo w’uko ibyo birego bigomba kujya biburanishwa n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, rushingiye ku mpamvu y’uko urwo Rukiko rweguriwe ububasha hafi ya bwose bwari bufitwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ubu rwo rukaba rwarasigaranye ububasha budasanzwe gusa. Uyu murongo wongeye gushimangirwa n’uru Rukiko mu rubanza Nº RCOM 00002/2019/SC rwaciwe ku wa 27/09/2019 haburana MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd na UNITEX RWANDA Ltd. [26] Nk’uko bigaragara mu manza zinyuranye, Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rwakurikije uyu murongo rutangira kwakira no gusuzuma ibirego bijyanye n’ivuguruzanya ry’imanza3 harimo n’imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, nk’urubanza No RC 00001/2021/CA aho Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rwasuzumye ikibazo cyo kuvuguruzanya kuri kwari hagati y’urubanza Nº RCOMAA 0043/15/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 24/06/2016 n’urubanza Nº RCOMA 00412/2018/HCC rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi ku wa 20/09/2018, haburana SAILER ENERGY UG-PARTNERSHIP Ltd na ECOBANK RWANDA Plc. [27] Nk’uko byavuzwe haruguru, ashingiye ku murongo watanzwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga wamaze gusobanurwa,
3 Nk’urugero, urubanza N° RCOM 00001/2019/CA rwa MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd na UNITEX RWANDA Ltd rwaciwe ku wa 03/07/2020, urubanza Nº RC 00002/2022/CA rwaciwe ku wa 20/03/2023, haburanamo FENG Zhigang, Ndayisaba Emmanuel na Mugiraneza Vincent n’izindi nyinshi.
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14 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire, kijyanye n’ukuvuguzanya kw’imanza kuko hari imitungo yahawe mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYBO rwabaye itegeko, iyo mitungo ikongera igahabwa Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwanashimangiwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS. Umwanditsi mukuru w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire yamusubije ko ikirego cye kitakiriwe kubera ko mu manza asabira gukemurirwa ivuguruzanya harimo urwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ko kandi Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ivuguruzanya ry’imanza mu gihe zaciwe n’inkiko ziri munsi yarwo cyangwa ubwarwo rwaciye. [28] Nyuma y’aho Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yatanze ikirego muri uru Rukiko, we n’abamuburanira bakaba bavuga ko nta rundi rukiko rushobora kuburanisha ikibazo kijyanye n’ivuguruzanya ry’imanza mu gihe mu manza ziregerwa harimo n’urwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga. [29] Nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru, Itegeko Ngenga Nº 03/2012/OL ryo ku wa 13/06/2012 ryamaze kuvugwa ryahaga Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma, ariko mu Itegeko rishya No 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 naryo ryavuzwe haruguru, nta rukiko na rumwe rwahawe ubwo bubasha. [30] Urukiko rurasanga n’ubwo rwari rwaratanze umurongo w’uko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ari rwo rugomba kuburanisha bene ibi birego, hakiri ikibazo cyo kumenya niba urwo Rukiko arirwo mu by’ukuri rukwiriye kuba rufite ubwo bubasha nk’uko bimeze ubu.
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15 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
[31] Mu gushaka igisubizo kuri iki kibazo, ni byiza kureba uko bigenda mu bindi bihugu. Mu gihugu cy’Ubufaransa4 no mu Bubirigi5, iyo hari ibyemezo by’inkiko bivuguruzanya, biregerwa mu Rukiko Rusesa Imanza, rusumba izindi muri ibyo bihugu. Mu bihugu nka Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika6 n‘Ubwongereza7, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nk’Urukiko rusumba izindi, nirwo rukemura icyo kibazo. [32] Mu bihugu byo muri Afurika nka Tunisie8, Maroc9 na naho iyo hari ibyemezo by’inkiko bivuguruzanya, biregerwa mu
4 Article 618 du Décret 79-941 1979-11-07 art. 2 JORF 9 novembre 1979 en vigueur le 1 janvier 1980: La contrariété de jugements peut aussi, par dérogation aux dispositions de l'article 605, être invoquée lorsque deux décisions ... sont inconciliables et qu'aucune d'elles n'est susceptible d'un recours ordinaire; le pourvoi en cassation est alors recevable, même si l'une des décisions avait déjà été frappée d'un pourvoi en cassation et que celui-ci avait été rejeté... 5 Rigaux, F., & Dabin, J., La nature du contrôle de la Cour de cassation, Bruxelles, Etablissements Émile Bruylant,1966, p.20 (la contrariété des jugements est l’une de causes d’ouverture de pourvoi en cassation). 6 In United States federal courts, a circuit split arises when two or more different circuit courts of appeals provide conflicting rulings on the same legal issue…. the Supreme Court grants review of a case to resolve a circuit split (Beim, D., & Rader, K. (2018). Legal Uniformity in American Courts. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, p 16). See also Hugh Evander Willis, Some Conflicting Decisions of the United States Supreme Court, Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington, p 21. 7 Graeme Cowie, The UK Supreme Court, house of commons library, parliament, UK, 2022, P.12-13 8 L’article 175 (5) du Code de procédure civile et commerciale de la Tunisie: “Le recours en cassation n'est ouvert contre les jugements rendus en dernier ressort que dans les cas suivants S'il y a contrariété de jugements rendus en dernier ressort entre les mêmes parties, sur le même objet et pour la même cause”. 9 L’article 390 du Code de procédure civile du Royaume du Maroc: « En cas de contrariété de jugements ou d'arrêts devenus irrévocables émanant de
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16 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
Rukiko Rusesa Imanza. Mu gihe muri Senega10 na Benin11, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga arirwo rufite ubwo bubasha. [33] Ingero zimaze gutangwa zihuriza ku kuba mu bihugu bitandukanye, ibibazo bijyanye n’ivuguruzanya ry’imanza bikemurwa n’Urukiko rukuriye izindi mu gihugu. Urukiko rurasanga Itegeko Ngenga Nº 03/2012/OL ryo ku wa 13/06/2012 ryavuzwe haruguru ryari ryarahaye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ububasha bwo gukemura impaka zijyanye n’imanza zivuguzanya, ryari mu murongo umwe n’usanzwe ukurikizwa mu bindi bihugu. Nk’uko kandi n’uru Rukiko rwabisobanuye mu manza rwaciye mbere zamaze kuvugwa, kuba Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 ryamaze kuvugwa nta rukiko ryahaye ububasha bwo gusuzuma ibirego bijyanye n’ivuguzanya ry ‘imanza, ni uko byibagiranye. [34] Urukiko rurasanga nanone imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ziramutse zigize ikibazo cyo kuvuguruzanya hagati yazo cyangwa zikavuguruzanya n’imanza zaciwe bwa nyuma n’inkiko zo hasi nk’uko bimeze muri uru rubanza, Urukiko
tribunaux ou cours d'appel différents, la Cour de cassation …peut annuler sans renvoi l’une des deux décisions dont elle est saisie ». 10 Voir Titre 1, point 3 de la Loi organique N° 2008-35 du 7 août 2008 portant création de la Cour suprême du Sénégal, disponible sur http://v1.ahjucaf.org/Loi-organique-no-2008-35-du-7-aout.html, visité le 14/07/2023 (La Cour Suprême, la plus haute instance du pouvoir judiciaire au Sénégal a d’autres compétences: elle se prononce sur …., les contrariétés de jugements). 11 Voir l’article 690 de la loi N° 2008-07 du 28 Fevrier 2011 portant code de procédure civile. Commerciale, sociale, administrative et des comptes
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17 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
rw’Ikirenga arirwo rukwiye gusuzuma icyo kibazo, cyane cyane ko ari narwo rutanga umurongo ku zindi nkiko12. [35] Hashingiwe ku bisobanuro byatanzwe haruguru, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rurasanga arirwo rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma. Kubera iyo mpamvu, uyu murongo uhinduye uwari warafashwe mu manza zaciwe mbere n’uru Rukiko zirimo urubanza Nº RC 00008/2017/SC rwaciwe ku wa 28/09/2018 haburana Umuhoza Annonciata na Ndayisenga Protais n’urubanza Nº RCOM 00002/2019/SC rwaciwe ku wa 27/09/2019 haburana MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd na UNITEX RWANDA Ltd. [36] Nyuma y’ibisobanuro bimaze gutangwa, Urukiko rurasanga inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko yatanzwe na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice na Twagirayezu Béata nta shingiro ifite, bityo Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rukaba arirwo rufite ububasha bwo gusuzuma ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko
12 Ibijyanye no kuba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga arirwo rukuriye izindi rukanashyiraho umurongo izindi nkiko zigomba gukurikiza, byasobanuwe mu rubanza N° RS/INJUST/RC 00026/2022/SC, aho uru Rukiko rwashingiye ku murongo wari usanzweho mu rubanza n° RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2019/SC, rwagaragaje ko mu mikorere y’inkiko, zubahiriza amahame ashingiye ku kubahiriza umurongo wafashwe (stare decisis), buri Rukiko rukaba rugomba kubahiriza umurongo rwafashe ku kibazo runaka cyangwa umurongo wafashwe n’urukiko rurukuriye kuri icyo kibazo … ko kandi Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nk’Urukiko rukuriye izindi, ari narwo soko nkuru y’imirongo inkiko zindi zigenderaho, ari nayo mpamvu y’imiterere yarwo yihariye, ituma rugira ububasha ku moko y’imanza zose inkiko zishyikirizwa kugira ngo rubashe kuzitangaho umurongo uyobora izindi nkiko mu micire y’imanza.
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rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017.
III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [37] Rwemeje ko inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yatanzwe na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice na Twagirayezu Béata nta shingiro ifite; [38] Rwemeje ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga arirwo rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma; [39] Rwemeje ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ububasha bwo gusuzuma ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017. [40] Rwemeje ko iburanisha ry’urubanza mu mizi rizaba ku wa 20/11/2023.
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19 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC
METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’UBUJURIRE – RCOMA 00038/2023/CA (Ngagi, P.J.) 19 Ukwakira 2023] Amategeko agenga ububasha bw’inkiko – Urukiko rw’Ubujurire – Ubujurire bwa kabiri – Agaciro k’ikiburanwa – Ubujurire bwa kabiri ntibwakirwa iyo ikiburanwa kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga. Incamake y’ikibazo: METAFOAM Ltd yatse inguzanyo muri EQUITY BANK Plc ingana na miliyari imwe na miliyoni magana ane (1.400.000.000 Frw) ikubiyemo amafaranga yo kugura umwenda yari ifite muri COGEBANQUE n’ay’igishoro; ariko iyo banki iyigurira umwenda gusa ntiyayiha ay’igishoro bituma ihura n’ikibazo cy’ubukungu kidindiza ibikorwa byayo by’ubucuruzi ndetse inanirwa kwishyura umwenda wakomeje kwiyongera; ibyo byatumye itanga ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi isaba urwo Rukiko kwemeza itangizwa rya gahunda y’izahura no gushyiraho umucungamutungo w’agateganyo wayo. Urwo Rukiko rwaciye urubanza rwemeza ko icyo kirego nta shingiro gifite kuko yahombye, rutegeka ko Umucungamutungo Mukuru agabanya umutungo usigaye abo METAFOAM Ltd ibereyemo imyenda. METAFOAM Ltd yajuririye icyo cyemezo mu Rukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi ivugako ko hari icyizere ko ihawe igihe iyo myenda yose yakwishyurwa hashingiwe kuri gahunda y’izahura 19
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20 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
yatanze ndetse isaba ko urwo rubanza rwaba ruhagaze kugeza igihe urubanza nshinjabyaha RP/ECON 00036/2023/TGI/NGYE ruzacirirwa, aho yarezemo EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc icyaha cyo kwihesha ikintu cy’undi hakoreshejwe uburiganya, inyandiko mpimbano, iyezandonke no kunyereza imisoro anagobokeshamo abantu batandukanye. Urwo Rukiko rwaciye urubanza rwemeza ko ubujurire nta shingiro bufite, rwemeza kandi ko nta gihindutse ku mikirize y’urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubucuruzi ndetse ko ibyemejwe muri urwo rubanza bigomba gushyirwa mu bikorwa. METAFOAM Ltd yajuririye icyo cyemezo mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire, uregwa atanga inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko ishingiye ku gaciro k’ikiburanwa agasobanura ko ikiburanwa ari izahura kandi mu izahura hasuzumwa niba urega afite ubushobozi bwo gukora akazahuka, ko hagomba kurebwa ubushobozi cyangwa imari shingiro afite. Akavugako ubujurire butagomba kwakirwa ndetse inkiko zabanje zemeje ko nta bushobozi afite bwatuma azahura ubwo bucuruzi. METAFOAM Ltd yireguye kuri iyi nzitizi ivuga ko nta shingiro ifite kuko inkiko zabanje zemeje ko nta bushobozi afite bwo kwishyura umwenda wa 4.028.168.565 Frw, ubwabyo bihagije kugira ngo ubujurire bwe bube buri mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire. Avuga ko ikiregerwa mu rubanza ari izahura kandi impaka zishingiye ku mwenda wishyuzwa n’ingwate zatanzwe. Incamake y’icyemezo: Ubujurire bwa kabiri ntibwakirwa iyo ikiburanwa kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga. Inzitizi y’iburabubasha ifite ishingiro. Amagarama ahwanye n’ibyakozwe mu rubanza.
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21 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC
Amategeko yifashishijwe: Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, Ingingo ya 52, Igika cya 2, agace ka 8. Imanza zifashishijwe: Urubanza RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA; FARAJA HOTEL Ltd v COGEBANQUE Plc rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 05/03/2021, Urubanza RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA; RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd v COGEBANQUE Plc rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 04/11/2022. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Mu mwaka wa 2016, METAFOAM Ltd yatse inguzanyo muri EQUITY BANK Plc ingana na miliyari imwe na miliyoni magana ane (1.400.000.000 Frw) akubiyemo miliyari imwe na miliyoni mirongo inani (1.080.000.000 Frw) yo kugura umwenda yari ifite muri COGEBANQUE Plc, na miliyoni magana atatu (300.000.000 Frw) y’igishoro (working capital), ariko ko iyo banki yayiguriye umwenda gusa, ntiyihe amafaranga y’igishoro (working capital), bigatuma ihura n’ikibazo cy’ubukungu gikomeye ku buryo ibikorwa byayo by’ubucuruzi byadindiye. [2] Isobanura kandi ko EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc yaje kuyishakira indi nguzanyo y’inyamahanga ya TLG ya miliyoni ebyiri n’ibihumbi magana arindwi na mirongo itanu z’amadolari (2,750,000 USD) n’iya LAMAR ya miliyoni eshatu n’ibihumbi magana abiri na mirongo itatu na bitanu (3,235,000 USD), ariko
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22 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
ko nabwo itayihaye working capital bikaza gutuma inanirwa kwishyura umwenda wayo, ku buryo kuri ubu ugeze kuri miliyari eshatu na miliyoni magana cyenda na mirongo ine n’eshanu n’ibihumbi magana ane na makumyabiri n’umunani na magana abiri na makumyabiri n’icyenda (3.945.428.229 Frw). Ibyo rero byatumye itanga ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi isaba urwo Rukiko kwemeza itangizwa rya gahunda y’izahura rya METAFOAM Ltd no gushyiraho umucungamutungo w’agateganyo wayo. [3] Ku wa 28/04/2022, METAFOAM Ltd yatanze inyandiko igaragaramo gahunda yayo y’izahura ivuga ko Urukiko ruramutse ruyemeye rukayiha amezi atandatu (6), rukanashyiraho umucungamutungo w’agateganyo, yaba imaze kuzahura ibikorwa byayo, maze ikabona kwishyura imyenda ibereyemo abandi. [4] EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc yagobose muri urwo rubanza ku bushake, igamije kurengera inyungu zayo zishingiye ku mwenda METAFOAM Ltd yari iyifitiye, kugira ngo igaragaze aho izakura ubushobozi bwo kuyishyura. Ivuga ko kugira ngo METAFOAM Ltd yemererwe izahura isaba ari uko yatanga icyizere ko mu gihe kizaza izabasha kwishyura imyenda ifite, ikabitangira ibimenyetso bifatika. [5] Ku wa 23/12/2022, Urukiko rw’Ubucuruzi rwemeje ko ikirego cya METAFOAM Ltd gisaba itangizwa rya gahunda y’izahura no gushyiraho umucungamutungo wayo w’agateganyo nta shingiro gifite, ko METAFOAM Ltd idafite umutungo w’ibanze washingirwaho ubucuruzi bwayo buzahurwa ndetse nta n’ubushobozi ifite bwo kwishyura amafaranga azakoreshwa mu ikurikirana ryerekeye igihombo harimo n’igihembo cy’umucungamutungo w’agateganyo, ko METAFOAM Ltd
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23 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC
yahombye. Rutegeka ko Umucungamutungo Mukuru agabanya umutungo usigaye wa METAFOAM Ltd abo ibereyemo imyenda. Rwemeza ko ikirego kiregera kwiregura cya EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc gisaba igihembo cya Avoka kingana n’amafaranga miliyoni ebyiri (2.000.000 Frw) n’ay’ikurikiranarubanza angana na miliyoni imwe (1.000.000 Frw) nta shingiro gifite. [6] METAFOAM Ltd yajuririye Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi ku mpamvu zo kumenya niba Urukiko rukwiye kwemeza itangizwa rya gahunda ry’izahura ry’ubucuruzi bwayo, kandi ko hari icyizere ko ihawe igihe iyo myenda yose yakwishyurwa hashingiwe kuri gahunda y’izahura yatanze. Isaba ko urwo rubanza rwaba ruhagaze kugeza igihe urubanza nshinjabyaha RP/ECON 00036/2023/TGI/NGYE ruzacirirwa, aho yarezemo EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc icyaha cyo kwihesha ikintu cy’undi hakoreshejwe uburiganya, inyandiko mpimbano, iyezandonke no kunyereza imisoro. Yasabye kandi ko Hakizimana Jean Bosco na BAHATI Vanessa hamwe na HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd bayitije ingwate bagobokeshwa mu rubanza ku gahato, ngo kuko isanga rwazabagiraho ingaruka kandi batarabaye ababuranyi. [7] EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ivuga ko ubujurire bwa METAFOAM Ltd nta shingiro bufite, ko Urukiko rw’Ubucuruzi rwemeje ko yahombye rushingiye ku bimenyetso rwashyikirijwe, kandi ko itabasha kubivuguruza. Isoza isaba Urukiko gusuzuma niba rwakosora amakosa ari muri kopi y’urubanza rujuririrwa no kumenya niba Urukiko rw'Ubucuruzi rutaragombaga kuyigenera amafaranga yatakarije mu rubanza. [8] Mu rubanza RCOMA 00768/2022/HCC rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi ku wa 22/06/2023, Urukiko
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24 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
rwemeje ko ubujurire bwa METAFOAM Ltd nta shingiro bufite, ko nta gihindutse ku mikirize y’urubanza RCOM00817/2022/TC, ko mu rubanza rujuririrwa ahanditse ko nimero y’urubanza ari RCOM 1385/2020/TC hakosowe hakandikwa ko ari RCOM 00817/2022/TC. Rutegeka ko ibyemejwe mu rubanza RCOM 00817/2022/TC bishyirwa mu bikorwa, ari byo ko METAFOAM Ltd idafite umutungo w’ibanze washingirwaho ubucuruzi bwayo buzahurwa ndetse nta n’ubushobozi ifite bwo kwishyura amafaranga azakoreshwa mu ikurikirana ryerekeye igihombo harimo n’igihembo cy’umucungamutungo w’agateganyo, ko METAFOAM Ltd yahombye, ko rutegetse Umucungamutungo Mukuru kugabanya umutungo usigaye wa METAFOAM Ltd abo ibereyemo imyenda. Rutegeka METAFOAM Ltd kwishyura EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc amafaranga angana na miliyoni imwe n’ibihumbi magana abiri (1.200.000 Frw) y’indishyi z’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cya Avoka, kandi ko amafaranga ibihumbi mirongo ine (40.000 Frw) y’amagarama METAFOAM Ltd yishyuye ijurira aherera ku isanduku ya Leta. [9] METAFOAM Ltd yajuririye Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, ubujurire bwayo bwandikwa kuri RCOMAA 00038/2023/CA. Urubanza rwahamagajwe ku wa 04/10/2023, METAFOAM Ltd ihagarariwe na Me Rugwizangoga Marcellin, EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ihagarariwe na Me Karemera Frank, HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd idahagarariwe, kuko Me Mutware Ngaruyinka Innocent yanditse avuga ko yarwaye, uburanisha ryimurirwa ku wa 11/10/2023. Kuri iyo tariki, iburanisha ryabereye mu ruhamwe, impande zihagarariwe n’Abavoka nk’uko bavuzwe haruguru, haburanishwa ku nzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’uru Rukiko yatanzwe na EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ishingiye ku gaciro k’ikiburanwa no kuba
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25 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC
METAFOARM Ltd yaratsinzwe mu nkiko zabanje hashingiwe ku mpamvu zimwe. II. ISESENGURA RY’IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA i. Kumenya niba Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ubu bujurire hashingiwe ku gaciro k’ikiburanwa [10] Uhagarariye EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ashingiye ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya 2, agace ka 8, y’Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, atanga inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire avuga ko ubujurire bwa METAFOAM Ltd butagomba kwakirwa kubera ko ikiburanwa ari izahura kandi mu izahura hasuzumwa niba METAFOAM Ltd ifite ubushobozi bwo gukora ikazahuka, ko hagomba kurebwa ubushobozi cyangwa imari shingiro ifite, ko kuba rero inkiko zabanje zaremeje ko nta bushobozi ifite bwatuma izahura ubucuruzi bwayo, ubujurire bwayo butagomba kwakirwa kuko butari mu bubasha bw’uru Rukiko. [11] Uhagarariye METAFOAM Ltd yiregura kuri iyi nzitizi avuga ko nta shingiro ifite kuko hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya 2, agace ka 8º, y’Itegeko ryibukijwe haruguru, ndetse n’igika cyayo cya 4 cy’iryo tegeko, asanga kuba inkiko zibanza zaremeje ko nta bushobozi ifite bwo kwishyura umwenda wa 4.028.168.565 Frw, ubwabyo bihagije kugira ngo ubujurire bwayo bube buri mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire. Avuga ko ikiregererwa muri uru rubanza ari izahura kandi impaka zishingiye ku mwenda wishyuzwa n’ingwate zatanzwe.
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26 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
[12] Uhagarariye HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd avuga ko HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd yemera guha METAFOAM Ltd miliyoni magana abiri (200.000.000 Frw) kugira ngo ibashe kwishyura ifitiye EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc, ariko ntabwo abihuza n’agaciro. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [13] Impaka kuri iyi nzitizi zishingiye ku kumenya niba ubujurire bwa METAFOAM Ltd butagomba kwakirwa kubera ko ikiburanwa ari izahura ry’ubucuruzi bwa METAFOAM Ltd, ikaba ari impamvu ituma ubujurire bwayo butaba mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire. [14] Ingingo ya 52, igika cya 2, agace ka 8, y’Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko iteganya ibikurikira: “Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi n’Urukiko Rukuru rwa Gisirikare, iyo izo manza: 8º zagenwemo n’urukiko indishyi zingana nibura na 75.000.000 Frw cyangwa zifite agaciro kagenwe n’umucamanza mu gihe habaye impaka kangana na 75.000.000 Frw”. [15] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaza ko METAFOAM Ltd yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi, irusaba kwemeza itangizwa rya gahunda y’izahura ryayo no gushyira umucungamutungo wa gateganyo wayo. [16] Kuri iki kibazo kijyanye no kumenya niba umuburanyi wareze asaba izahura ry’ubucuruzi bwe ariko akaba afite umwenda urenga 75.000.000 Frw ari impamvu ituma Urukiko
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27 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC
rw’Ubujurire rugira ububasha bwo kuburanisha urwo rubanza. Urukiko rurasanga cyarakemuwe mu rubanza RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA rwaciwe n’uru Rukiko ku wa 05/03/2021, haburana FARAJA HOTEL Ltd na COGEBANQUE Plc, aho Urukiko rwasobanuye ko ikiburanwa kijyanye no gusaba izahura ry’ubucuruzi cyaregewe na FARAJA Hotel Ltd guhera mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu buryo bw’amafaranga, kuko kidakwiye kwitiranwa n’umwenda urengeje 900.000.000 Frw FARAJA Hotel Ltd yemera ko ibereyemo COGEBANQUE Plc, kuko COGEBANQUE Plc yagobotse ku bushake muri uru rubanza itaje kuregera kwishyurwa, uwo mwenda ukaba nta mpaka wigeze uteza hagati y’ababuranyi mu rubanza ku nzego zabanjirije uru, ndetse hakaba nta n’urukiko rwabanjirije uru rwigeze ruca urubanza kuri uwo mwenda, maze rwanzura ko inzitizi y’iburabubasha bushingiye ku gaciro k’ikiburanwa yatanzwe na COGEBANQUE Plc ifite ishingiro. Ni nawo murongo uru Rukiko rwakurikije mu rubanza RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA, rwaciwe ku wa 04/11/2022 haburana RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd na COGEBANQUE Plc. [17] Ku birebana n’uru rubanza, Urukiko rurasanga kuba METAFOAM Ltd yarareze isaba Urukiko kwemeza itangizwa rya gahunda y’izahura rya METAFOAM Ltd no gushyira umucungamutungo wa gateganyo wayo, EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ikagoboka muri urwo rubanza ivuga ko kugira ngo izahura ryemerwe, urisaba agomba kuba atanga icyizere ko mu gihe kizaza azabasha kwishyura imyenda, kuba umwenda METAFOAM Ltd ibereyemo EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc atari wo uburanwa muri uru rubanza, ahubwo haburanwa iby’izahura, ubujurire bwa METAFOAM Ltd budakwiye kwakirwa, kuko butari mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire,
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28 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
kuko izahura ry’ubucuruzi isaba ridashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga kandi rikaba ridakwiye kwitiranwa n’umwenda METAFOAM Ltd ibereyemo EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc cyangwa agaciro k’ingwate zatanzwe nk’uko uhagarariye METAFOAM Ltd ashaka kubyumvikanisha. [18] Urukiko rurasanga atari ngombwa gusuzuma inzitizi ijyanye no kuba METAFOAM Ltd yaratsinzwe mu nkiko zombi hashingiwe ku mpamvu zimwe, mu gihe Urukiko rwasanze ubu bujurire bwayo butari mu bubasha bwarwo kubera agaciro k’ikiburanwa. ii. Kumenya niba amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cya Avoka asabwa muri uru rubanza afite ishingiro [19] Uhagarariye EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ashingiye ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko Nº 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018, ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, asaba Urukiko rw’Ubujurire gutegeka METAFOAM Ltd kwishyura Equity Bank Plc amafaranga yatanze kuri uru rwego rw’ubujurire angana na miliyoni imwe n’ibihumbi magana atanau (1.500.000Frw) akubiyemo amafaranga ibihumbi magana atanu (500.000 Frw) y’ikurikiranarubanza, na miliyoni imwe (1.000.000Frw) y’igihembo cya Avoka. Avuga kandi ko amafaranga HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd isaba nta shangiro afite. [20] Uhagarariye METAFOAM Ltd yiregura ku mafaranga EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc isaba avuga ko nta shingiro afite.
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29 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC
[21] Uhagarariye HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd asaba Urukiko gutegaka EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc kuyishyura amafaranga y’indishyi z’akababaro, ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka ahwanye na miliyoni eshatu (3.000.000Frw) ngo kuko ari yo yabaye nyirabayazana w’uru rubanza ikoreye ibyaha ku mwenda wa METAFOAM Ltd bigatuma hiyambazwa ubutabera, HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd ikarugobokamo. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [22] Ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko N° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 28/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza mbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ibikurikira: “Ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza ni ikirego gishamikira ku kirego cy’iremezo kigamije kwishyuza ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza. Ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza kiburanishirizwa rimwe n’ikirego cy’iremezo. Gishobora kandi kwakirwa kikanaburanishwa n’iyo ikirego cy’iremezo cyaba kitakiriwe”. [23] Urukiko rurasanga kuba METAFOAM Ltd yarajuriye bwa kabiri muri uru Rukiko byaratumye EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ishaka Avoka wo kuyiburanira kuri uru rwego, ikaba kandi hari ibyo yatakaje ikurikirana uru rubanza; bityo amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza isaba ko METAFOAM Ltd iyishyura afite ishingiro, ariko ayo isaba ni menshi harebwe ko urubanza rugarukiye ku nzitizi, mu bushishozi bwarwo, rukaba ruyigeneye 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka na 200.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza.
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[24] Urukiko rurasanga indishyi z’akababaro HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd isaba zitasuzumirwa muri uru rubanza rugarukiye ku nzitizi y’iburabubasha, n’aho amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ayikurikiranarubanza METAFOAM Ltd na HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd basaba nta shingiro afite, kuko inzitizi yatanzwe na EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ifite ishingiro. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [25] Rwemeje ko inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’uru Rukiko yatanzwe na EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc ifite ishingiro. [26] Rwemeje ko ubujurire bwa METAFOAM Ltd butakiriwe, kuko butari mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire. [27] Rutegetse METAFOAM Ltd kwishyura EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc amafaranga ibihumbi magana atanu (500.000 Frw) y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ibihumbi magana abiri (200.000 Frw) y’ikurikiranarubanza, kuri uru rwego. [28] Ruvuze ko amagarama yatanzwe ahwanye n’ibyakozwe mu rubanza.
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31 UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI
UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’UBUJURIRE – RPAA 00322- 00323/2022/CA (Gakwaya P.J.) 26 Mata 2023] Amategeko agenga ububasha bw’inkiko – Ubujurire bwa kabiri – Ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri imanza zaciwe hashingiwe ku itegeko ritariho – Amagambo ‘’itegeko ritariho’’ agomba kumvikana mu buryo bw’itegeko ritagikoreshwa (loi abrogée/ replealed law), cyangwa itegeko ritaratangira gukoreshwa (loi non encore en vigueur/ law not yet in force), cyangwa se itegeko ritigeze ribaho (qui n’a jamais existé/ a law that never existed). Amategeko agenga ububasha bw’inkiko – Ubujurire bwa kabiri – Kutubahiriza ibiteganywa n’amategeko ntibiri mu mpamvu zatuma ubujurire bwa kabiri bwakirwa, bukaburanishwa mu mizi, ntibinafatwa kandi nko gushingira ku itegeko ritariho, ahubwo ni amakosa yakosorwa binyuze mu zindi nzira ziteganwa n’Itegeko. Incamake y’ikibazo: Ku rwego rwa mbere uru rubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, Ubushinjacyaha bukurikiranye abaregwa ku byaha byo gukora no gukoresha inyandiko mpimbano, ubuhemu, guhisha ibimenyetso no kugurisha ikintu cy’undi cyangwa cyatanzweho ingwate nyuma yuko sosiyete yitwa Haipu Ressources Ltd ihaye inguzanyo sosiyete FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd inguzanyo ya 600.000 Usd, nayo iyiha ingwate y’imigabane n’ibikoresho byayo. Ubushinjacyaha buvuga ko nyuma yaho FX Tugirane 31
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32 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd yasabye inguzanyo muri banki, irongera itangaho ingwate ibikoresho yari yaratanzeho ingwate muri Haipu Ressources Ltd. Buvuga kandi ko mu rwego rwo gushaka gusohora amafaranga muri FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd kugirango bahombye Haipu Ressources Ltd, abaregwa bahimbye amasezerano agaragaza ko FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd iguze na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd imodoka z’imashini 3 kandi ntabyabaye. Uretse uwitwa Mukamusoni, abandi baregwa Urukiko rwabahamije ibyaha runabagenera ibihano. Renzaho na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd bajuririye Urukiko Rukuru, urwo Rukiko rwemeza ko abarujuririye badahamwa n’ibyaha. Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ntibishimiye urwo rubanza, bajuririra Urukiko rw’Ubujurire. Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd bazamuye inzitizi yo kutakira ubujurire bwa kabiri bwatanzwe n’Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd bavuga ko mu manza nshinjabyaha igihano cy’igifungo cyagenwe ari cyo cyonyine gishingirwaho mu kugena ububasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, ko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ruburanisha ku rwego rwa kabiri imanza zagenwemo igihano cy’igifungo kingana nibura n’imyaka cumi n’itanu (15). Ubushinjacyaha bwo bwaburanye buvuga ko ubujurire bwabwo bushingira ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°), y’Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018, ko Urukiko Rukuru rwashingiye ku itegeko ritariho kuko rwanzuye ko urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, ruhindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose, rukagira abere n’abo rutaburanishije. FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd yo yaburanye ku nzitizi yatanzwe, ivuga ko ubujurire bwayo bushingiye ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu
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33 UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI
(3°) y’Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, ako gace kakaba karebana n’imanza zashingiye ku itegeko ritariho, ko Urukiko Rukuru rwarenze imbibi z’icyajuriwe. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Amagambo ‘’itegeko ritariho’’ agomba kumvikana mu buryo bw’itegeko ritagikoreshwa (loi abrogée/ replealed law), cyangwa itegeko ritaratangira gukoreshwa (loi non encore en vigueur/ law not yet in force), cyangwa se itegeko ritigeze ribaho (qui n’a jamais existé/ a law that never existed), ishingiro ry’ububasha bw’Urukiko rigomba kureberwa mu ikoresha mu rubanza rujuririrwa ry’Itegeko ryavanweho, ritaratangira gikoreshwa cyangwa ritarabaho. 2. Kutubahiriza ibiteganywa n’amategeko ntibiri mu mpamvu zatuma ubujurire bwa kabiri bwakirwa, bukaburanishwa mu mizi, ntibinafatwa kandi nko gushingira ku itegeko ritariho, ahubwo ni amakosa yakosorwa binyuze mu zindi nzira ziteganwa n’Itegeko. Inzitizi yo kutakira ubujurire ifite ishingiro. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko N° 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’ishinjabyaha, Ingingo ya 188, igika cya mbere. Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, Ingingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°). Itegeko n° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/4/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano,
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iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, Ingingo ya 10 n’iya 155. Imanza zifashishijwe: RPAA 0021/2016/CS-RPAA 0002/2016/CS, Muhirwa n’undi v Nzeyimana, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 12/5/2017. RCOMAA 00109/2022/CA, UJM CONSULTANCY AND PARTNERS Ltd v rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 23/3/2023. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Urubanza rwatangiriye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, Ubushinjacyaha bukurikiranyeho Jiang Haifeng, Jiang Haisheng, Renzaho Alexis, Mukamusoni Berthe na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd ihagarariwe na Gao-Li ibyaha byo gukora no gukoresha inyandiko mpimbano, ubuhemu, guhisha ibimenyetso no kugurisha ikintu cy’undi cyangwa cyatanzweho ingwate, busobanura ko ku wa 3/1/2019 bari mu Bushinwa, Fuxin Mine Development Company Ltd na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ikorera ahitwa Kayenzi mu Ntara y’Amajyepfo ihagarariwe na Jiang Haisheng, zagiranye amasezerano y’inguzanyo na Company yitwa Haipu Ressources Ltd yo muri Hong Kong y’uwitwa Chen Yanhong, ihagarariwe na Wu Wujue, iyi Haipu iha FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd inguzanyo ya 600.000 Usd, FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd itanga ingwate y’imigabane ya 80%, hamwe n’ibikoresho byose bikaba ibya Chen Yanhong, kandi imigabane 20% ya FX
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35 UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI
Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd isigaye, ihita igurwa na Haipu Ressources Ltd ku mafaranga miliyoni 116.000.000 Frw, noneho imigabane yose ihita iba iya Chen Yanhong, bemeranya ko ariko ubuyobozi bwa FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd buguma mu maboko y’abari basanzwe bayiyobora. (Gage-nantissement) [2] Bwakomeje busobanura ko bageze mu Rwanda ku wa 22/3/2019, FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd yasabye inguzanyo muri Bank Of Africa ingana na mafaranga miliyoni 220.000.000 Frw, irongera itangaho ingwate ibikoresho yari yaratanzeho ingwate muri Haipu Ressources Ltd. Na none ku wa 30/1/2019, Renzaho Alexis, Operation manager akaba n’umusemuzi muri FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, Jiang Haisheng (Chair Person wayo), Mukamusoni Berthe (Managing Director wayo), bafatanyije na Jiang Haifeng, uhagarariye Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, agamije gufasha umuvandimwe we Jiang Haisheng kwikubira amafaranga yatanzwe na Haipu Resources Ltd, bahimba amasezerano yanditswe mu rurimi rw’ikinyarwanda na Renzaho Alexis, agaragaza ko FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd iguze na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd imodoka z’imashini eshatu, ku madorali y’Amerika ibihumbi magana abiri mirongo ine na bitatu na magana atatu (243.300 Usd) kandi ntabyabaye kuko izo modoka z’imashini, Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd yari yaramaze kuzitangaho ingwate muri Bank, ibyo bakaba barabikoze mu rwego rwo gushaka gusohora amafaranga muri FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ngo bahombye Haipu Resources Ltd na Chen Yanhong nyiri imigabanye muri FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, bamubeshya ko ayo mafaranga yakoreshejwe mu rwego rwo kuzahura ibikorwa bya company.
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[3] Buvuga kandi ko ku wa 2/7/2019 mu kunoza umugambi wabo, Jiang Haisheng n’umuvandimwe we Jiang Haifeng bahimbye iseswa ry’ayo masezerano y’ubugure bw’imodoka z’imashini, yiswe (cancellation) banayashyiraho umukono, ko ndetse ubwo byamenyekanaga bitangiye gukurikiranwa, abo bombi bahise batoroka, babifashijwemo na Renzaho Alexis wanabafashije kurigisa inyandiko y’umwimerere y’ayo masezerano y’amahimbano yo ku wa 30/1/2019, kuko bamaze kugenda aribwo yagaragaje photocopie yayo, ariko ajyanywe muri Rwanda Forensic Laboratory ivuga ko ayo masezerano badashobora kuyapima kuko ari kopi yakozwe na scanner, kandi bo bakaba bapima umwimerere (original). [4] Muri urwo rubanza FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ihagarariwe na Me Nzirabatinyi Fidèle yatanze ikirego cy’indishyi, isaba Urukiko gutegeka Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd gusubiza amadorari y’amerika ibihumbi magana abiri na mirongo ine na bitatu magana atatu (243.300 Usd) basohoye babeshya ko baguze imodoka z’imashini, inyungu zayo zingana na 18% mu gihe cy’umwaka n’amezi icyenda angana na 76.639 Usd, indishyi z’akababaro zingana na 20.000.000 Frw, igihembo cya Avoka, amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igarama 5.000.000 Frw. [5] Renzaho Alexis yaburanye ahakana ibyaha byose, asobanura ko amasezerano yo ku wa 30/1/2019 yakozwe hagati ya FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, we ayashyikirizwa ku wa 1/6/2019 kugira ngo ayasikane (Scanner) ayoherereze Chen Xi uhagarariye Chen Yanhong, ko kandi umuntu usinyira company agomba kuba
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37 UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI
ari chairperson cyangwa Managing Director cyangwa undi waba wabiherewe ububasha nyamara we akaba atari umwe muri abo. [6] Mukamusoni Berthe yaburanye ahakana icyaha aregwa cy'inyandiko mpimbano, asobanura ko amasezerano avugwa, yakozwe atari mu kazi, ko yahamagawe na mugenzi we RENZAHO Alexis, amumenyesha ko boss agiye kugura imodoka z’imashini, ko ariko we nta makuru yari asanzwe abifiteho kandi ko ntaho ahurira n’amafaranga. [7] Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng na Paragone Mining Industry Co Ltd ihagarariwe na Gao-Li, ntabwo bireguye kuko baburanishijwe badahari, mu iperereza barahamagawe ntibitaba, dosiye ikorwa batabajijwe ishyikirizwa Urukiko baregwa nk’abatorotse ubutabera, mu Rukiko hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga (email) bahamagarwa kuri adresse zabo nabwo ntibitaba, kubera ko baregwa hamwe na bagenzi babo kandi kuba baratorotse bitaba impamvu yo gutinza ikurikiranwa ry’abo baregwa hamwe, hafatwa icyemezo cyo kuburanisha urubanza hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 167 y’Itegeko nº 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, iteganya ko nta na rimwe ikurikiranwa ry’uregwa waratorotse cyangwa yarihishe ubutabera rihagarika cyangwa ritinza ikurikiranwa ry’abo baregwa hamwe bahari. [8] Mu rubanza no RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 30/3/2021, rwemeje ko Mukamusoni Berthe adahamwa n’ibyaha aregwa, ko Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Investment Co Ltd bahamwa n’icyaha cyo guhimba, guhindura inyandiko cyangwa gukoresha inyandiko mpimbano, ko Jiang Haisheng na Renzaho Alexis bahamwa n’icyaha cyo guhisha ibimenyetso n’icyaha cyo
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gutangaho ingwate ikintu cy’undi, ko Jiang Haisheng na Renzaho Alexis ibyaha bakoze bigize impurirane mbonezamugambi, ruhanisha Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng na Renzaho Alexis igihano cy’igifungo cy’imyaka irindwi (7) n’ihazabu y’amafaranga miliyoni eshanu (5.000.000 Frw) kuri buri wese. [9] Urukiko rwategetse ko Renzaho Alexis ahita afatwa agafungwa urubanza rukimara gusomwa, ruhanisha Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd gutanga ihazabu y’amafaranga miliyoni eshanu (5.000.000 Frw). Rutegeka k’umutungo wa Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd ufatirwa ukazavamo ibyo basabwa kwishyura igihe urubanza ruzaba rubaye ndakuka. Ko Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd bafatanya (in solidum) gusubiza muri FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd amadorari y’amerika ibihumbi magana abiri na mirongo ine na bitatu magana atatu (243.300 Usd). Ko Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd bafatanya (in solidum) guha FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd indishyi y’akababaro zingana n’amafaranga miliyoni makumyabiri (20.000.000 Frw). Ko JIANG Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd bafatanya (in solidum) gusubiza muri FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka, ikurikiranarubanza n’igarama bingana n’amafaranga miliyoni imwe n’ibihumbi magana abiri na makumyabiri (1.220.000 Frw). [10] Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd ntibishimiye imikirize y’urubanza bajuririra Urukiko Rukuru, Renzaho Alexis avuga ko we nk’umukozi usanzwe
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atabazwa umwimerere w’amasezerano kuko hari bene “companies” bamusabye kuyasikana (scanner) arabikora, ariko ko nta kimenyetso kigaragaza ko yayagumanye, ko kandi uretse no kuba nta ndishyi yagombaga gusabwa kuko nta cyaha yakoze, icyo kirego kitagombaga no kwakirwa ngo gisuzumwe kubera ko izo ndishyi zari zaregewe mbere mu Nkiko z’Ubucuruzi, ko kandi hatagombaga kugenwa indishyi z’akababaro 20.000.000 Frw kandi “personne morale” itagira akababaro, ko ndetse izindi ndishyi zagenwe nta bimenyetso. Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd ihagarariwe na Me Ndahimana Jean Bosco bavuga ko bahamijwe icyaha cyo gukora inyandiko mpimbano, nta bimenyetso bidashidikanywaho. [11] Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd Me Ndahimana Jean Bosco uhagarariye, avuga ko iyi “company” nta cyaha yakoze cyo gukora no gukoresha inyandiko mpimbano kubera ko ariya masezerano avugwa yo ku wa 30/1/2019 atari amahimbano hagendewe ku makuru aboneka mu ibazwa rya Mukamusoni Berthe ryo ku wa 10/1/2020 n’iryo ku wa 26/6/2020, aho avuga ko nyir’imigabane ya FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd yamuhamagaye nka “Managing Director” akamubwira ko ayo masezerano agiye gusinywa. Yemeza kandi ko ayo mamashini avugwa mu masezerano yari ahari, ari kuri “terrain” (nk’uko bigaragara mu ibazwa ryo ku wa 10/1/2020 bikanagarukwaho n’uwitwa Karenzi Didier, n’ubwo uwo ahakana umukono (mu ibazwa ryo ku wa 10/3/2020), kandi hari “invoice” yishyuriweho amafaranga yo kwimura izo mashini “escavator” zaguzwe, azijyana i Kayenzi. [12] Mu rubanza no RPA 00516/2018/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 13/5/2022, rwemeje ko ubujurire bwa Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd
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bufite ishingiro, rwemeza ko badahamwa n’ibyaha bakurikiranyweho, ko imikirize y’urubanza no RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 30/3/2022 ruhindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose, ko kandi ikirego cy’indishyi cyatanzwe na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd kitagombaga kwakirwa ngo gisuzumwe mu mizi, bityo ko ibyemejwe muri urwo rubanza no ku birebana n’indishyi biteshejwe agaciro. [13] Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ntibishimiye urwo rubanza, bajuririra Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, Ubushinjacyaha bujurira ku wa 10/6/2022, naho FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ijurira ku wa 6/6/2022. [14] Urubanza rwaburanishijwe ku wa 12/4/2023, Ubushinjacyaha buhagarariwe na Habarurema Jean-Pierre, Umushinjacyaha ku rwego rw’Igihugu, FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ihagarariwe na Me Rubasha Herbert, Renzaho Alexis yunganirwa na Me Werabe Safi Chantal naho Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd ihagarariwe na Me Ndahimana Jean Bosco. [15] Muri iryo buranisha, Urukiko rwasuzumye inzitizi yatanzwe na Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd yo kutakira ubujurire bwa kabiri bwatanzwe n’Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd.
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41 UBUSHINJACYAHA v RENZAHO N’ABANDI
II. IKIBAZO KIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURA RYACYO i. Kumenya niba Ubujurire bwa kabiri bwatanzwe n’Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd muri uru Rukiko bwakwakirwa [16] Me Ndahimana Jean Bosco, uhagarariye Paragone Mining Industry Investiment Co Ltd, avuga ko Ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd butakwakirwa kuko hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka cyenda (9°) y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, mu manza nshinjabyaha igihano cy’igifungo cyagenwe ari cyo cyonyine gishingirwaho mu kugena ububasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, ko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ruburanisha ku rwego rwa kabiri imanza zagenwemo igihano cy’igifungo kingana nibura n’imyaka cumi n’itanu (15). Avuga kandi ko ibivugwa muri iyo ngingo ya 52 mu gika cyayo cya kabiri, kuva ku gace ka mbere (1°) kugeza ku gace ka munani (8°) ari inenge zikoreshwa gusa mu manza mbonezamubano. [17] Me Ndahimana Jean Bosco asobanura ko muri uru rubanza, ku rwego rwa mbere, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwahanishije Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng na Renzaho Alexis igihano cy’igifungo cy’imyaka irindwi (7) n’ihazabu y’amafaranga y’u Rwanda miliyoni eshanu (5.000.000 Frw), mu gihe Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko imikirize y’urubanza rwaciwe ku rwego rwa mbere ihindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose. [18] Me Ndahimana Jean Bosco avuga kandi ko ikibazo cyo kurenga imbibi z’icyajuririwe cyabaye mu Rukiko Rukuru kuko
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rwakuyeho ibyaha abatarajuririye urubanza kandi batanaburanye, kitagomba kumvikana nko gushingira icyemezo cyarwo ku itegeko ritariho, ndetse icyemezo n° 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen cyo ku wa 17/5/2021 cyafashwe na Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, aho yemeje ko ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha bugomba kwakirwa, hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya 2 n’icya 3, y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, kuko Urukiko Rukuru rwashingiye icyemezo kijuririrwa ku muhango w’iburanisha udateganyijwe n’itegeko, kitakoreshwa muri uru rubanza kuko kurenga imbibi z’icyajuririwe atari gukoresha umuhango udateganyijwe n’amategeko, bivuze nta sano iri hagati y’uru rubanza n’ibivugwa mu cyemezo n° 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen. Asoza asaba uru Rukiko kutakira ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha n’ubwa FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd. [19] Me Werabe Safi Chantal, wunganira Renzaho Alexis, avuga ko ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha butagomba kwakirwa ku birebana na Renzaho Alexis kuko hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 183 y’Itegeko n° 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, butagaragaza inenge zaba ziri mu rubanza n° RPA 00156/2018/HC/KIG zirebana na Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry investment Co Ltd ku giti cyabo bwite, n’uburyo zigomba gukosorwa, bityo uru Rukiko rukaba rutabona icyo ruheraho rubaburanisha mu gihe nta ngingo z’ubujurire zibareba zagaragajwe n’Ubushinjacyaha. Asobanura ko icyo Ubushinjacyaha bunenga ku rubanza rwajuririwe ari uko Urukiko Rukuru, mu guca urubanza, rwarenze imbibi z’icyajuririwe, ndetse n’icyaburanishijwe kuko rwakuyeho ibyaha Jiang Haisheng na Jiang Haifeng batajuriye, ndetse bataburanye mu Rukiko Rukuru.
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[20] Me Werabe Safi Chantal akomeza avuga ko nk’uko bigaragara mu ifishi yuzuzwa n’utanga ikirego cy’ubujurire bwa kabiri mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire, FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd yajuriye ivuga ko ubujurire bwayo buri mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya gatatu (3), y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru, kuko urubanza rujuririrwa rwashingiye ku mategeko cyangwa ku ngingo z’amategeko zitariho cyangwa zavuyeho, isobanura ko urwo Rukiko rwarenze imbibi z’icyajuririwe n’icyaburanishijwe, rwemeza ko Jiang Haisheng na Jiang Haifeng bataburanishijwe, bahanagurwaho ibyaha bahamijwe ku rwego rwa mbere, ndetse bakurirwaho indishyi bari baciwe, kandi nta tegeko rushingiyeho, ndetse nta n’irihari rwari gushingiraho. [21] Ubushinjacyaha buvuga ko ubujurire bwabwo bushingira ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°), y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru. Busobanura ko Urukiko Rukuru rwashingiye ku itegeko ritariho kuko rwanzuye ko urubanza n° RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, ruhindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose, rukagira abere n’abo rutaburanishije (Jiang Haifeng na Jiang Haisheng), kandi batari banajuriye, ko nta tegeko rihari ryemerera Umucamanza kugira umwere uwo rutaburanishije, utaragize icyo asaba Urukiko, utaranirwitabye, rwirengagiza ibiteganywa n’ingingo za 183 na 188 z’Itegeko n° 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’ishinjabyaha. Busaba uru Rukiko kwifashisha igika cya 14 cy’icyemezo n° 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen cyo ku wa 17/5/2021 cyafashwe na Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, aho hemejwe ko ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha bugomba kwakirwa, hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri n’icya gatatu kuko
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Urukiko Rukuru rwari rwafashe icyemezo cyajuririrwaga ku muhango w’iburanisha udateganyijwe n’itegeko. [22] Me Herbert Rubasha, uhagarariye FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, avuga ko Ubujurire bwayo bushingiye ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°) y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru, ako gace kakaba karebana n’imanza zashingiye ku itegeko ritariho, ingingo z’amategeko zitakiriho cyangwa zaciwe n’urukiko rutabifitiye ububasha. Asobanura ko ubujurire bushingiye ku mpamvu y’uko Urukiko Rukuru rwarenze imbibi z’icyajuriwe kuko mu gace ka mirongo irindwi na kabiri (72) k’urubanza rujuririrwa, rwemeje ko imikirize y’urubanza n° RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku rwego rwa mbere n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ihindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose. Akomeza asobanura ko mu gace ka mirongo irindwi na gatatu (73) k’urwo rubanza, rwemeza ko ikirego cy’indishyi n’ibyemejwe ku rwego rwa mbere biteshejwe agaciro. [23] Me Herbert Rubasha avuga ko mu kwemeza ibyo byose, Urukiko Rukuru rwirengangije ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 183, agace ka gatanu (5°) n’aka gatandatu (6°) n’iya 188 z’Itegeko n° 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’ishinjabyaha kuko rwarenze imbibi z’ubujurire bwa Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, ruhanaguraho Jiang Haifeng na Jiang Haisheng ibyaha, nyamara bataburanishijwe, ndetse batanajuriye muri urwo Rukiko, ko rero rwabikoze nta Tegeko rushingiyeho, ndetse nta n’Itegeko rihari rwari gushingiraho. [24] Me Herbert Rubasha asoza avuga nk’uko byemejwe mu gace ka cumi na kane (14) k’icyemezo n° 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen cyo ku wa 17/5/2021 cyafashwe na
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Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, gukuraho ibyaha abatajuriye cyangwa se ngo baburane mu rubanza rujuririrwa ari gukoresha umuhango udateganyijwe n’amategeko, bivuze ko ubujurire bwa FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd bugomba kwakirwa, hashingiye ku ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°), y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [25] Ingingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°), y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko iteganya ko ‘’ Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite kandi ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi n’Urukiko Rukuru rwa Gisirikare, iyo izo manza zashingiye ku itegeko ritariho, ingingo z’amategeko zitakiriho cyangwa zaciwe n’urukiko rutabifitiye ububasha’’. Naho agace ka cyenda (9°) cy’igika cya kabiri (2) cy’ingingo ya 52 gateganya ko ‘’ Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite kandi ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi n’Urukiko Rukuru rwa Gisirikare, iyo izo manza zagenwemo igifungo kingana nibura n’imyaka cumi n’itanu (15). Mu manza nshinjabyaha igihano cy’igifungo cyagenewe ni cyo cyonyine gishingirwaho mu kugena ububasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire’’. [26] Ingingo ya 188, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko n° 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’ishinjabyaha iteganya ko ‘’ (…..). Urukiko rwajuririwe ruburanisha gusa mu mbibi z’icyajuririwe’’1.
1 Ingingo ya 10 y’Itegeko n° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/4/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo
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[27] Nk’uko byemejwe mu rubanza n° RPAA 0096/15/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 18/5/2018 aho rwasuzumaga ibivugwa mu ngingo ya 28, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka kabiri (2°), y’Itegeko Ngenga n° 03/2012/OL ryo ku wa 13/6/2012 rigena imiterere, imikorere n’ububasha by’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ibivugwamo bikaba bisa neza n’ibivugwa mu ngingo ya 52, igika cya kabiri (2), agace ka gatatu (3°) y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru, amagambo ‘’itegeko ritariho’’ agomba kumvikana mu buryo bw’itegeko ritagikoreshwa (loi abrogée/ replealed law), cyangwa itegeko ritaratangira gukoreshwa (loi non encore en vigueur/ law not yet in force), cyangwa se itegeko ritigeze ribaho (qui n’a jamais existé/ a law that never existed), ko rero ishingiro ry’ububasha bw’Urukiko rigomba kureberwa mu ikoresha mu rubanza rujuririrwa ry’Itegeko ryavanweho, ritaratangira gikoreshwa cyangwa ritarabaho. [28] Ibyemejwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga byumvikanisha nta shiti ko kugira ngo ubujurire bwa kabiri bwakirwe, urega mu bujurire agomba kugaragaza itegeko ryaba ryakoreshejwe mu rubanza rujuririrwa kandi ritariho2.
n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ko ‘’Umucamanza aca urubanza ku cyasabwe cyose kandi kuri icyo cyonyine’’. Ingingo ya 155 y’iryo Tegeko iteganya ko ‘’ Ikirego cy’ubujurire cyakiriwe gituma ikibazo gisubira uko cyari kimeze mbere y’uko gicibwaho urubanza rujuririrwa, ariko ku ngingo zajuririrwe gusa’’. Naho, ingingo ryaryo rya 156 iteganya ko ‘’ Urukiko rwajuririwe ruburanisha gusa ubujurire mu mbibi z’icyajuririwe. Urukiko rufata icyemezo ku ngingo zatumye uwatanze ubujurire ajurira cyangwa uwabwuririyeho na we akajurira’’. 2 Ari nako byemejwe mu rubanza n° RCOMAA 00109/2022/CA raciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 23/3/2023, aho mu gace karwo ka cumi n’icyenda (19), rwemeje ko mu gihe nta tegeko ritariho rigaragara muri kopi y’urubanza rujuririrwa, ntaho Urukiko rwahera ruvuga ko urwo rubanza rwashingiye ku itegeko ritariho.
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[29] Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga mbere na mbere ibyo abajuriye muri uru rubanza banenga, bigaragara mu cyemezo cy’Urukiko Rukuru (dispositifs de la décision énervée), bitagaragara mu bisobanuro byatanzwe n’urwo Rukiko rusesengura urubanza (Raisonnement de la Cour) kuko mu by’ukuri, nta kintu rwavuze ku birebana na Jiang Haisheng na Jiang Haifeng. [30] Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga nk’uko byagaragajwe haruguru, mu bujurire bwa kabiri, ku birebana n’ibivugwa mu gace ka gatatu (3°) k’igika cya kabiri (2) cy’ingingo ya 52 y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru, urega afite inshingano yo kugaragaza itegeko ritariho ryaba ryakoreshejwe mu rubanza rujuririrwa, nyamara muri uru rubanza Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd bavuga ko gufata icyemezo ku bitaraburanishijwe cyangwa ku bitarajuririwe (ultra petita) ari ugukoresha umuhango udateganyijwe n’amategeko, bikwiriye gufatwa nko gushingira ku itegeko ritariho. [31] Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga kandi nk’uko bigaragara mu ngingo ya 188, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko n° 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/9/2019 ryavuzwe haruguru, Itegeko riteganya ko Urukiko rwajuririwe ruburanisha gusa mu mbibi z’icyajuririwe, mu gihe rero Urukiko rwafashe ibyemezo ku birenze imbibi z’icyajuririwe, bigomba gufatwa nko kutubahiriza itegeko, bitakwitiranywa no gukoresha umuhango udateganyijwe n’amategeko cyangwa gushingira ku itegeko ritariho. [32] Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 52 y’Itegeko n° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 2/6/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru, kutubahiriza ibiteganywa n’amategeko bitari mu mpamvu zatuma ubujurire bwa kabiri bwakwakirwa,
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bukaburanishwa mu mizi, kandi bitafatwa nko gushingira ku itegeko ritariho. Rurasanga kandi kutubahiriza amategeko ari amakosa yakosorwa binyuze mu zindi nzira ziteganwa n’Itegeko, adakosorwa mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri, mu gihe urega atagaragaza imwe mu mpamvu ziteganywa n’Itegeko zishobora gutuma ubujurire bwa kabiri bwakirwa kugira ngo buburanishwe mu mizi. [33] Uretse n’ibyo, Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga nk’uko byemejwe mu rubanza n° RPAA 0021/2016/CS-RPAA 0002/2016/CS rwaciwe ku wa 12/5/2017 n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, mu manza nshinjabyaha, igihano cyonyine nicyo gishingirwaho mu kugena ububasha bw’urukiko mu bujurire bwa kabiri, ntiharebwa indishyi cyangwa agaciro k’ikiburanwa3. [34] Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga rero kuba Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd batagaragaje Itegeko ritariho Urukiko Rukuru rwaba rwarashingiweho mu guca urubanza rujuririrwa no kuba nta gihano cy’igifungo kingana nibura n’imyaka cumi n’itanu (15) cyagenwe muri uru rubanza, ubujurire bwabo bwa kabiri butakiriwe ngo bubaranishwe mu mizi. [35] Kubera izo mpamvu zose, Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga nta mpamvu yo gusuzuma ibindi bisobanuro byagaragajwe n’abaregwa bashimangira ko ubwo bujurire butagomba kwakirwa.
3 Reba agace ka makumyabiri na kabiri (22) k’urwo rubanza.
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III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [36] Rwemeje ko inzitizi yatanzwe na Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd yo kutakira ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ifite ishingiro. [37] Rwemeje ko Ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd butakiriwe. [38] Rutegetse ko amagarama y’uru rubanza aherera ku Isanduku ya Leta.
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III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [36] Rwemeje ko inzitizi yatanzwe na Renzaho Alexis na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd yo kutakira ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha na FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd ifite ishingiro. [37] Rwemeje ko Ubujurire bw’Ubushinjacyaha na Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd butakiriwe. [38] Rutegetse ko amagarama y’uru rubanza aherera ku Isanduku ya Leta.
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51 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
URUBANZA RWEREKERANYE N’IMIBURANISHIRIZE Y’IMANZA
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52 ICYEGERANYO CY’IBYEMEZO BY’INKIKO
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53 Re. VALOIS JEAN MARIE
Re. VALOIS JEAN MARIE [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’UBUJURIRE – RC 00001/2022/CA (Rukundakuvuga P.J.) 24 Mata 2023] Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano – Kwihana umucamanza – Ikirego cy’ihutirwa – Kuba umucamanza yaraburanishije ikirego cy’ihutirwa si impamvu yo kumwihana mu kirego cy’iremezo Incamake y’ikibazo: uru rubanza rukomoka ku rubanza RC00001/2022/CA haburana Valois Jean Felix na bagenzi be baburana na Dusabe Fazil; uwunganiye Valois Jean Felix yihannye umucamanza Kaliwabo umwe mu bacamanza bagize inteko iburanisha urwo rubanza. Asobanura ko amwihana kuko ariwe waburanishije ikirego cyihutirwa RC00005/2022/CA gishamikiye ku rubanza RC00001/2022/CA. Bityo basaba ko Umumucamanza Kaliwabo avanwa muri urwo rubanza. Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rwemeje ko ikiburanwa mu rubanza rw’ikirego kihutirwa (référé) kiba gitandukanye n’ikiburanwa mu rubanza rw’iremezo ndetse n’umucamanza uruburanisha akaba abujijwe kugira icyo avuga cyabangamira urubanza rw’iremezo mu mizi yarwo. Bityo rwemeza ko, “kuba umucamanza yaraburanishije ikirego cy’ihutirwa gifitanye isano n’ikirego cy’iremezo, ntibyafatwa nkaho yigeze kuba mu rubanza ari umucamanza, umwunzi, umushinjacyaha, umugenzacyaha, umuburanyi, umutangabuhamya, umusemuzi, inzobere cyangwa umukozi wo mu butegetsi bwa Leta; nkuko biteganywa n’Itegeko, kuko ibiburanwa muri izo manza zombi ntaho bihuriye, bikaba 53
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bidashobora kubangamira imikirize y’urubanza rw’iremezo ; bityo bikaba bidashobora kuba impamvu y’ubwihane bw’umucamanza. Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rwemeje gusimbuza Umucamanza w’ihanwe undi, mu rwego rwo kumumara umuburanyi impungenge. Incamake y’icyemezo: kuba umucamanza yaraburanishije ikirego cy’ihutirwa si impamvu yo kumwihana mu kirego cy’iremezo. Bityo, kuko ibiburanwa muri izo manza zombi ntaho bihuriye, ntibinashobora kubangamira imikirize y’urubanza rw’iremezo. Ikirego cyo kwihana umucamanza nta shingiro gifite. Mu rwego rwo kumara impungenge umuburanyi, umucamanza ashobora gusimburwa. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, Ingingo ya 106, 6o; 103,6o; 185 Nta manza zifashishijwe
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Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Mu iburanisha ryo kuwa 05/04/2023 ry’urubanza RC00001/2022/CA ruburanwamo Valois Jean Felix, Valois Jean Paul, Valois Marie Rose, Valois Jean Pierre, Valois Jean Marie baburana na Dusabe Fazil; Me Abasa Fazili wunganiye Valois Jean Felix yihannye umucamanza Kaliwabo Charles umwe mu bacamanza bagize inteko iburanisha urwo rubanza. Asobanura ko impamvu yamwihannye ari uko umucamanza Kaliwabo Charles ariwe waburanishije ikirego cyihutirwa RC00005/2022/CA gishamikiye ku rubanza RC00001/2022/CA ; ibi akabishingira ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 103 y’itegeko ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’umurimo, iz’ubucuruzi n’izubutegetsi mu gace kayo ka 6. [2] Urubanza ku bwihane rwaburanishijwe mu nama y’abacamanza kuwa 21/04/2023, rusuzuma niba “kuba umucamanza uburanisha urubanza rw’iremezo yaraburanishije urubanza ku kirego cyihutirwa byaba impamvu yo kumwihana”. II. ISESENGURA RY’IMPAMVU Y’UBWIHANE [3] Valois Jean Felix yunganiwe na Me Abasa Fazili asobanura ko abisabwe n’uwo yunganira yihannye umucamanza Kaliwabo Charles mu rubanza RC00001/2022/CA kubera ko uwo mucamanza ariwe waburanishije uwo yunganira Valois Jean Felix mu rubanza RC00005/2022/CA rushamikiye (référée) ku rubanza RC00001/2022/CA, ngo iyo mpamvu ikaba ihura
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n’ibivugwa mu ngingo ya 103 y’itegeko rigena imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’umurimo, iz’ubucuruzi n’iz’ubutegetsi mu gace kayo ka 6. Asaba ko hashingirwa ku byasobanuwe n’uwo yunganira umucamanza Kaliwabo Charles agakurwa mu iburanisha ry’urubanza RC00001/2022/CA. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [4] Ingingo ya 106, 6o CPCCSA ivuga ko Umucamanza bashobora kumwihana iyo « yigeze kuba mu rubanza ari umucamanza, umwunzi, umushinjacyaha, umugenzacyaha, umuburanyi, umutangabuhamya, umusemuzi, inzobere cyangwa umukozi wo mu butegetsi bwa Leta.» [5] Iyi ngingo yumvikanisha ko haba harabaye urubanza rumwe mu bihe bitandukanye (akenshi mu rubanza ku rwego rwa mbere no ku rwego rw’ubujurire), umucamanza wihanwa akaba yarigeze kurubamo. Kugira ngo kandi bifatwe ko urubanza ari rumwe, ni uko ruba rugizwe n’ikiburanwa kimwe ndetse n’ababuranyi ari bamwe. Byumvikana ko igihe kimwe muri ibyo kidahari, urubanza ruba atari rumwe, bityo ibivugwa mu ngingo yavuzwe mu gika kibanziriza iki ikaba idashobora kureba umucamanza wihanwa. [6] Nk’uko biteganywa n’ingingo ya 185 CPCCSA ikirego kihutirwa kiba kigamije ko hagira « icyemezwa by’agateganyo mu buryo bwihuta ku rubanza rwaregewe urukiko rutaraburanishwa », naho ingingo ya 186 CPCCSA ikongeraho ko « Umucamanza uburanisha ikirego cyihutirwa afata icyemezo ku byo yaregewe ariko mu buryo butabangamiye urubanza rw’iremezo mu mizi yarwo ».
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[7] Ibivugwa muri izi ngingo byumvikanisha neza ko ikiburanwa mu rubanza rw’ikirego kihutirwa (référé) kiba gitandukanye n’ikiburanwa mu rubanza rw’iremezo ndetse n’umucamanza uruburanisha akaba abujijwe kugira icyo avuga cyabangamira urubanza rw’iremezo mu mizi yarwo. [8] Urukiko rusanga rero “kuba umucamanza uburanisha urubanza rw’iremezo yaraburanishije urubanza ku kirego cyihutirwa bidashobora kwitiranwa n’ibivugwa mu ngingo ya 103,6o kuko ibiburanwa muri izo manza zombi ntaho bihuriye, bityo bikaba bidashobora kubangamira imikirize y’urubanza rw’iremezo; mu yandi magambi bikaba bidashobora kuba impamvu y’ubwihane bw’umucamanza nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru. [9] Kubera izo mpamvu, Urukiko rusanga impamvu zo kwihana umucamanza Kaliwabo Charles mu bagize inteko iburanisha urubanza RC00001/2022/CA, zitangwa na Valois Jean Felix atari impamvu zatuma aruvanwamo kuko nta shingiro zifite; ariko mu rwego rwo kumumara impungenge kuri iki kibazo gusa, urukiko rukaba ruhisemo kumusimbuza undi. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [10] Rwemeje ko ikirego cy’ubwihane cyatanzwe na Valois Jean Felix nta shingiro gifite; [11] Rutegetse ko Umucamanza Kaliwabo Charles asimbuzwa undi mu nteko iburanisha urubanza RC00001/2022/CA ku mpamvu zasobanuwe;
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59 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
IMANZA Z’UMURIMO
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61 NIYONAGIZE v DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI
NIYONAGIZE v DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA – RS/INJUST/RSOC 00012/2022/SC – (Mukamulisa, P.J., Nyirinkwaya na Muhumuza, J.) 17 Gashyantare 2023] Amategeko agenga umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Gusesa amasezerano y’umurimo – Inshingano yo gutanga ibimenyetso – Igihe havutse impaka, umukoresha washeshe amasezerano niwe utanga ibimenyetso bigaragaza ko umukozi yakoze ikosa cyangwa yagize imyitwarire mibi. Amategeko agenga umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Gusesa amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kizwi – Iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo rikozwe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko ritangirwa indishyi zitandukanye. Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza zisabirwa gusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane – Inzitizi yatuma urubanza rutaburanishwa mu mizi – Iyo Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yemeje ko urubanza rwongera kuburanishwa ku mpamvu z’akarengane, nta yindi nzitizi yakirwa irebana n’impamvu zituma urubanza rutakirwa, cyeretse umuburanyi ashoboye kugaragaza impamvu idasanzwe, nko kuba harabayeho kwibeshya ku bihe byo gutanga ikirego. Incamake y’ikibazo: Niyonagize yareze Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge asaba indishyi zitandukanye zo kwirukanwa ku kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, aho yakoraga ku mwanya w’ umucungamutungo n’umunyamabanga wa koperative. Akomeza 61
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avuga ko nyuma yo kutumvikana n’Umuyobozi mushya wa Koperative yahinduriwe imirimo avanwa mugukorera muri biro kandi ari ko kari akazi ke, ajyanwa kuri “terrain” nta yandi masezerano akoranye n’umukoresha we, nyamara nabwo akomeza kubazwa ibyo mu biro. Uwo muyobozi yaje gusesa amasezerano ye y’akazi nta mpamvu abwiwe cyangwa ikosa rikomeye yaba yarakoze. Koperative yireguye ivuga ko Urega yasezerewe kubera kudashobora akazi no kudatanga umusaruro yari yitezweho hamwe no kutubaha inzego z’ubuyobozi bwayo. Ivuga kandi ko mu masezerano y’umwimerere yabagengaga, Urega yahinduye amasaha yo gutangiriraho akazi n’igihe amasezerano azamara. Ku byerekeye guhindurirwa imirimo, ivuga ko ari inshingano zahindutse gusa, ko umwanya n’umushahara ndetse n’imiterere y’akazi bitahindutse, uretse ko yakuwe mu biro akajyanwa gukorera kuri terrain. Isoza isaba ko ikirego cy’Urega kitahabwa ishingiro, ko ahubwo akwiye gutegekwa kuyiha indishyi zo gushorwa mu manza n’igihembo cy’Avoka. Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwemeje ko ikirego cy’Urega gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe maze Koperative ijuririra Urukiko Rukuru ivuga ko Urukiko rwabanje rwemeje ko amasezerano yashyizweho umukono n’impande zombi zibifitiye ububasha ngo kandi hari n’andi masezerano y’umwimerere Urega yahinduye. Niyonagize nawe yatanze ubujurire bwuririye kubundi asaba indishyi zitandukanye. Uru Rukiko rwemeje ko Koperative yirukanye Niyonagize mu buryo bukurikije amategeko, ko indishyi yahawe ku rwego rwa mbere zivuyeho. Ibi byatumye Niyonagize asaba ko uru rubanza rwasubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, agaragaza ko mu icibwa ryarwo habayeho kwirengagiza nkana amategeko
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n'ibimenyetso bigaragaza ko yirukanwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko maze hemezwa ko rusubirishwamo. Nyuma yo gufata icyemezo cyo kutakira inzitizi yari yatanzwe na Koperative isaba ko ikirego cy’Urega kitakagombye kwakirwa ngo gisuzumwe, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwabanje gusuzuma iyo mpamvu y’akarengane no kumenya niba hari indishyi zigomba gutangwa muri uru rubanza. Kuri iki kibazo, Urega asobanura ko Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko yirukanywe mu buryo bukurikije amategeko nta kimenyetso na kimwe ashingiyeho, rwirengagiza ibimenyetso bitandukanye birimo inyandiko y’ihererekanyabubasha hagati ye nk’umunyamabanga nshingwamari wa Koperative n’ubuyobozi bwa Koperative. Akomeza asaba uru Rukiko gusuzuma agasuzuguro ashinjwa kiswe amakosa akomeye, kuko mu nyandiko yakozwe ahabwa akazi, bari bavuze ko ibyakozwe mbere y’uko ahabwa akazi atazabibazwa. Anavuga ko nta baruwa yigeze abona imumenyesha iseswa ry’amasezerano y’akazi mu masaha mirongo ine n’umunani (48h), ko ndetse n’inama ivugwa n’uregwa ko yavugiwemo ibyo kumusezerera ku kazi ntayo yigeze amenyeshwa. Uregwa asobanura ko ikimenyetso kigaragaza ko Urega atakoraga raporo yagombaga gukora inyandikomvugo y’inama, ndetse uwasuzuguwe yabikoreraga constat. Ku byerekeye ikibazo cy’uko Urega yaba yarahinduye inyandiko y’amasezerano y’akazi avuga ko batakibiburanisha nk’impamvu yo gusesa amasezerano kuko batayifiye ibimenyetso, asaba ko bitanasuzumwa muri uru rubanza. Ku kibazo cyo kumenya niba hari indishyi zigomba gutangwa muri uru rubanza, Urega asaba ko harebwa izo yari yaregeye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye zirimo izo kwirukanwa mu buryo
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bunyuranyije n’amategeko, imishahara atahembwe n’iz’ikurikiranarubanza hamwe n’igihembo cy’avoka; mu gihe Uregwa avuga ko atazihabwa, ngo kuko ariwe ugomba gusobanura ikirego cye, akanagitangira ibimenyetso. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Iyo Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yemeje ko urubanza rwongera kuburanishwa, nta yindi nzitizi yakirwa cyeretse umuburanyi ashoboye kugaragaza impamvu idasanzwe, nko kuba harabayeho kwibeshya ku bihe byo gutanga ikirego. 2. Igihe havutse impaka, umukoresha washeshe amasezerano niwe utanga ibimenyetso bigaragaza ko umukozi yakoze ikosa cyangwa yagize imyitwarire mibi. Bityo, Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti yirukanye mu buryo budakurirkije amategeko Niyonagize Augustave kuko nta kimenyetso itanga kigaragaza imyitwarire mibi imushinja cyangwa ko yananiwe kuzuza inshingano ze, usibye kubivuga mu magambo gusa. 3. Iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo rikozwe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko ritangirwa indishyi zitandukanye. Bityo, Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti yasheshe amasezerano y’akazi yagiranye na Niyonagize Augustave mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, ikaba igomba kumuha indishyi zitandukanye. Ikirego gisaba gusubirishamo urubanza ku mpamvu z’akarengane gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 3.
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Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw'inkiko, ingingo ya 55. Itegeko N°22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 111. Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 28. Itegeko N°15/2004 ryo ku wa 12/06/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mu manza n’itangwa ryabyo, ingingo ya 3. Imanza zifashishijwe: Niwemugeni Jeannette yaburanaga na KCB Bank Rwanda Ltd, RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 31/01/2019. Busoro Gervais na Busoro Mugunga Desire n’abandi, RS/INJUST/RC 00022/2018/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 21/06/2021. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Niyonagize Augustave yareze Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti (Koperative) mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, asaba indishyi zitandukanye zo kwirukanwa ku kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, ikirego cye cyandikwa kuri RSOC 00274/2017/TGI/NYGE. Avuga ko ku wa 31/03/2016, yahawe akazi na Koperative, bakorana amasezerano y’umurimo y’imyaka 2, ashyirwa ku mwanya wa Secrétaire- Comptable, ahembwa umushahara mbumbe wa 97.223 Frw naho
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umushahara umugeraho (net salary) ari 80.869 Frw. Avuga ko n’ubwo yahawe uwo mushahara mbumbe wa 97.223 Frw, atigeze awuhembwa ahubwo umushahara yatahanaga wari 70.000 Frw buri kwezi. [2] Avuga kandi ko nyuma yo gutangira akazi haje kuza umuyobozi mushya wa Koperative witwa Kubitiro K. Audace ngo uyu ntiyamwishimira, kubera ko yashakaga gukoresha nabi amafaranga ya Koperative we akabimwangira, bituma ahora amusaba ibisobanuro mu nyandiko ku makosa atazi, bigera naho ku wa 08/12/2016 amuhinduriye inshingano yoherezwa gukorera kuri terrain ku mwanya utazwi. [3] Niyonagize Augustave akomeza avuga ko yavanywe ku gukorera mu biro kandi ari ko kari akazi ke, ajyanwa kuri terrain kandi nta yandi masezerano akoranye n’umukoresha we, nyamara nabwo akomeza kubazwa ibyo mu biro. Avuga ko bigeze tariki ya 23/01/2017, uwo muyobozi yasheshe amasezerano ye y’akazi nta mpamvu abwiwe cyangwa ikosa rikomeye yaba yarakoze, asaba urukiko kwemeza ko yasezerewe binyuranye n’amategeko no gutegeka ko ahabwa indishyi zose asaba nk’uko zikubiye mu kirego cye. [4] Koperative mw’izina ry’Umuyobozi wayo yireguye ivuga ko urega yasezerewe kubera kudashobora akazi no kudatanga umusaruro yari yitezweho hamwe no kutubaha inzego z’ubuyobozi bwa Koperative. Ivuga kandi ko mu masezerano y’umwimerere yabagengaga, urega yahinduye amasaha yo gutangiriraho akazi n’igihe amasezerano azamara. [5] Ku byerekeye umushahara, Koperative ivuga ko Niyonagize Augustave yahembwaga 97.223 Frw kandi akayafata yuzuye cyane cyane ko ariwe wari ushinzwe gutegura imishahara
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nk’umubaruramari n’umunyamabanga wa Koperative, ko niba yaribariraga nabi bitabazwa Koperative. Ku byerekeye guhindurirwa imirimo, Koperative ivuga ko ari inshingano zahindutse gusa, ko umwanya n’umushahara ndetse n’imiterere y’akazi bitahindutse, uretse ko yakuwe mu biro akajyanwa gukorera kuri terrain. Isoza ivuga ko ikirego cya Niyonagize Augustave nta shingiro gikwiye guhabwa, ko ahubwo akwiye gutegekwa kuyiha indishyi zo gushorwa mu manza n’igihembo cy’Avoka. [6] Mu rubanza RSOC 00274/2017/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 03/05/2018, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwemeje ko ikirego cya Niyonagize Augustave gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe; rwemeza ko nta kigaragaza ko amasezerano yashyizweho umukono ku wa 31/03/2016 hagati ya Niyonagize Augustave n’uwari uhagarariye Koperative Niyoyita Jean Claude atari umwimerere; rwemeza ko Niyonagize Augustave yasezerewe mu buryo bunyuranye n’amategeko; rwemeza ko umushahara wageraga mu ntoki (net salary) za Niyonagize Augustave wagombaga kuba ungana na 80.869Frw; rutegeka Koperative mw’izina ry’Umuyobozi wayo guha Niyonagize Augustave indishyi zo kwirukanwa binyuranye n‘amategeko zingana na 1.361.262 Frw; umushahara w’amezi 2 atahembwe: 80.869 Frw x 2= 161.739 Frw; ikinyuranyo cy’umushahara atahawe mu mezi 8 angana na 86.952 Frw; indishyi z’ikurikiranarubanza zingana na 200.000 Frw, 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka na 50.000 Frw yatanzeho ingwate arega. [7] Koperative yajuririye urubanza mu Rukiko Rukuru ivuga ko Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwemeje ko amasezerano yashyizweho umukono n’impande zombi zibifitiye
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ububasha ngo kandi hari n’andi masezerano y’umwimerere Niyonagize Augustave yahinduye. [8] Niyonagize Augustave nawe yatanze ubujurire bwuririye kubwa Koperative asaba ibi bikurikira: guhabwa préavis, 7.000.000 Frw y’indishyi z’akababaro zo gusiragizwa mu nkiko, 500.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza na 700.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka mu bujurire. [9] Mu rubanza RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG rwaciwe ku wa 27/02/2020, Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko Koperative yirukanye Niyonagize Augustave mu buryo bukurikije amategeko, ko indishyi yahawe ku rwego rwa mbere zihwanye na 1.361.262 Frw kimwe n’amafaranga y’igihembo cy’Avoka n’ay’ikurikiranarubanza bivuyeho. Rwemeje kandi ko Koperative, igomba kwishyura Niyonagize Augustave indishyi zingana na 86.952 Frw y’ikinyuranyo cy’umushahara hamwe na 161.739 Frw y’amezi 2 atahembwe. [10] Mu guca urubanza, Urukiko Rukuru rwashingiye ku kuba Niyonagize Augustave yarandikiwe kenshi asabwa ibisobanuro kandi ko atari Perezida wa Koperative wenyine wamugizeho ikibazo ahubwo ko na Komite ya Koperative yose yamubonagamo ikibazo, bityo akaba yaragombaga kwirukanwa. Urukiko rwavuze ko byagaragaye ko hari ikimenyetso cy’uko Niyonagize Augustave atuzuzaga igitabo yari ashinzwe kuzuza, ko Komite yabanje gusaba ko ahagarikwa by’agateganyo, ariko na nyuma akaza kuyisuzugura bigatuma yirukanwa. [11] Ku wa 18/03/2020, Niyonagize Augustave yandikiye Perezida w'Urukiko rw'Ubujurire asaba ko urubanza RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 27/02/2020 rwasubirwamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane, kubera ko
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mu icibwa ryarwo habayeho kwirengagiza nkana amategeko n'ibimenyetso bigaragaza ko yirukanwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko. Nyuma yo gusuzuma ubusabe bwe, Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire nawe yandikiye Perezida w'Urukiko rw'Ikirenga asaba ko urubanza rwavuzwe rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane. [12] Perezida w'Urukiko rw'Ikirenga, amaze gusuzuma raporo yakozwe kuri urwo rubanza, ku wa 30/08/2022, yafashe icyemezo nimero 162/CJ/2022 ko urubanza RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG rwongera kuburanishwa, ikirego gihabwa RS/INJUST/RSOC 00012/2022/SC. [13] Iburanisha ry’uru rubanza ryashyizwe ku wa 24/01/2023, ribera mu ruhame, Niyonagize Augustave yunganiwe na Me Ruberwa Pierre, Koperative ihagarariwe na Me Ntihemuka Clément. [14] Mbere yo kwinjira mu mizi y’urubanza, Urukiko rwabanje gusuzuma ibivugwa n’uhagarariye Koperative asa n’utanga inzitizi, aho ku wa 4/11/2022 yashyize muri system inyandiko ivuga ko Urega atagaragaza uko impamvu ashingiraho asaba ko urubanza rusubirwamo ihuye n'ibiteganywa n'ingingo ya 55 y'Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw'inkiko, iteganya impamvu z'akarengane zituma urubanza rusubirishwamo; ko ku bw'ibyo, ikirego cya Niyonagize Augustave kitakagombye kwakirwa ngo gisuzumwe. Ibi Urukiko rwahise rubifataho icyemezo, ruvuga ko rwabitanzeho umurongo mu manza zinyuranye, ko iyo Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yemeje ko urubanza rwongera kuburanishwa, nta yindi nzitizi yakirwa cyeretse umuburanyi
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ashoboye kugaragaza impamvu idasanzwe, nko kuba harabayeho kwibeshya ku bihe byo gutanga ikirego.1 [15] Muri uru rubanza harasuzumwa ibibazo byo kumenya niba Urukiko Rukuru rwarirengagije ibimenyetso bigaragaza ko Niyonagize Augustave yirukanywe ku kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko no kumenya niba hari indishyi zigomba gutangwa muri uru rubanza. II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYABYO i. . Kumenya niba Niyonagize Augustave yarirukanwe ku kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko [16] Me Ruberwa Pierre wunganira Niyonagize Augustave avuga ko akarengane muri uru rubanza gashingiye ku kuba Umucamanza wo mu Rukiko Rukuru, yaremeje ko uwo yunganira yirukanywe mu buryo bukurikije amategeko nta kimenyetso na kimwe ashingiyeho, ko Koperative yavuze ko atatanze raporo nyamara ikagaragaza ko umunsi bamuhindurira inshingano z’umurimo hakozwe ihererekanyabubasha (remise et reprise) hagati ye nk’Umunyamabanga nshingwamari wa Koperative n’ubuyobozi bwa Koperative. [17] Akomeza avuga ko asaba Urukiko ko rwasuzuma agasuzuguro uwo yunganira ashinjwa kiswe amakosa akomeye, kuko mu nyandiko yakozwe Niyonagize Augustave ahabwa akazi, bari bavuze ko ibyakozwe mbere y’uko ahabwa akazi atazabibazwa. Anavuga ko nta baruwa Niyonagize Augustave
1 Reba nk’urubanza RS/INJUST/RC 00022/2018/SC haburana Busoro Gervais na Busoro Mugunga Desire n’abandi.
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yigeze abona ya Koperative imumenyesha iseswa ry’amasezerano y’akazi mu masaha mirongo ine n’umunani(48h), ko ndetse n’inama ivugwa n’uregwa ko yavugiwemo ibyo kumusezerera ku kazi ntayo yigeze amenyeshwa. Asoza avuga ko Urukiko Rukuru rwamurenganyije kuko yirukanwe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko bityo ko agomba guhabwa indishyi nk’uko amategeko abiteganya. [18] Me Ruberwa Pierre avuga kandi ko Urukiko Rukuru rwirengagije ibimenyetso bitandukanye birimo inyandiko y’ihererekanyabubasha ryakozwe ku wa 29/11/2016 nyuma y’uko Niyonagize Augustave ashyizwe muri mise à pied y’iminsi cumi n’itanu ku wa 28/11/2016, n’ibaruwa yo ku wa 08/12/2016 yamuhinduriraga inshingano za Secrétaire-Comptable akagirwa umukozi ukorera hanze (Agent sur terrain). [19] Avuga nanone ko Urukiko Rukuru rwirengagije ko Niyonagize Augustave yirukanwe ku wa 24/01/2017 nta baruwa yabanje guhabwa yo kwisobanura ku ikosa rikomeye yamenyeshejwe ubwo yahabwaga ibaruwa imusezerera mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko nk’uko bigaragara mu gika cya 13 cy’urubanza rusabirwa gusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane. Asobanura ko muri icyo gika, Urukiko Rukuru rwavuze ko Niyonagize Augustave yagombaga kwirukanwa kubera ko yandikiwe kenshi kandi akaba yarasuzuguraga Perezida na Komite nyamara nta kimenyetso rushingiyeho. [20] Niyonagize Augustave avuga ko ntaho yahuriye na Komite kuko nta baruwa imutumira yabonye cyangwa ngo ibe yaragaragajwe nk’ikimenyetso cya Koperative mu rubanza, ko atumva uburyo Urukiko rwamuhamije agasuzuguro nk’ikosa rikomeye kandi nta kibigaragaza.
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[21] Akomeza avuga ko atemeranya nibyo uregwa avuga ko yasuzuguye ubuyobozi, kuko yakoraga akazi ke neza, ko ahubwo icyo yapfuye n’Umuyobozi ari uko yakoreshaga umutungo wa Koperative nabi, ko ariyo mpamvu nyuma y’uko akoze raporo y’amezi atandatu, yayitanze ariko umuyobozi wa Koperative akanga kuyakira, bituma ayitanga muri RCA (Rwanda Cooperative Agency), ari nabwo hahise hatangira umugambi wo kumwirukana ashinjwa agasuzuguro n’ibindi bitumvikana, akaba ariyo mpamvu asaba Urukiko kumurenganura. Anavuga ko inyandiko yatanze muri RCA yayikoze kugira ngo agaragaze ahaturuka igihombo cya Koperative mbere y’uko kiba nk’uko byari biteganyijwe mu ngingo ya 14 y’amasezerano y’akazi. [22] Me Ntihemuka Clement, uhagarariye Koperative, avuga ko ku bijyanye no kuba Niyonagize Augustave avuga ko Urukiko rwamuhamije ikosa ryo kudakora raporo nta kimenyetso cyagaragajwe na Koperative rushingiyeho, atari byo, ko ahubwo ari we wagombaga kugaragaza ko raporo zose yagombaga gukora yazikoze neza kandi ku gihe nk'uko byari byaremejwe mu masezerano y’akazi, ndetse n'amabwiriza y'akazi. Anavuga ko kugeza ubu registres yagombaga gukoreramo zimwe muri izo raporo zihari, kandi ko zigaragaza ko bitakozwe uko yari abitegetswe, kandi ko nubwo yitwaza inyandiko y'ihererekanyabubasha yakorewe, iyo nyandiko atari raporo. [23] Akomeza avuga ko ku bijyanye no kuba Niyonagize Augustave avuga ko nta baruwa yahawe yo kwisobanura mu masaha 48, asanga yirengagiza nkana ko ingingo ashingiraho ireba amasezerano y'igihe kitazwi. Asobanura ko amasezerano y'igihe kizwi agengwa n’ingingo ya 28, igika cya 2, y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, iteganya ko icyemezo cyo gusesa amasezerano kubera ikosa
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rikomeye umukozi akimenyeshwa mu masaha 48, kandi ko ibyo byubahirijwe, cyane cyane ko Niyonagize Augustave amaze gusuzugura Komite, akayibwira ko ntacyo yayisubiza, icyemezo cyo gusesa amasezerano ye yakimenyeshejwe mu gihe cyagenwe n'amategeko. [24] Me Ntihemuka Clement yongeraho ko ibijyanye no gusuzugura Komite byabaye kenshi: ko ubwa mbere, umuyobozi wa Niyonagize Augustave yamumenyesheje bikozwe mu nyandiko, ko yagombaga gukora raporo yuzuza registres, anabyandika muri registre imwe yari yasanze hariho gukererwa gukabije, Niyonagize Augustave aho gusubiza ko yumvise amabwiriza amukebura, ahubwo yanditse akebura umuyobozi we avuga ko yakagombye kumwandikira ahandi hatari muri registre, nkaho ari we wagenaga uburyo registres zikoreshwa. Avuga ko ubwa kabiri, Komite yamuhamagaje kugira ngo yisobanure ku myitwarire ye yo gusuzugura uwamuyoboraga, agasubiza ko abanza kubyitegura ariko ntavuge igihe azaba yiteguye, ko ari nabwo yafatiwe icyemezo cyo guhagarikwa ku kazi by'igihe gito, bikanakurikirwa no guhindurirwa inshingano ubwo yahabwaga kujya gukorera kuri terrain. [25] Akomeza avuga ko ubwa gatatu Niyonagize Augustave yahamagajwe na Komite ngo yisobanure ku mpamvu zo gukererwa ku kazi no gusuzugura umuyobozi we, akabasubiza ko nta mwanya abifitiye, kandi ko izi nshuro ziyongera ku zindi nyinshi yagiye asuzugura uwamuyoboraga ku buryo byari bigoye gukomeza gukorana nawe. Anavuga ko asanga Niyonagize Augustave yarirukanwe kubera amakosa ye yo kutuzuza inshingano ze uko bikwiriye, kutubaha amasaha y'akazi no gusuzugura ubuyobozi, bityo ko nta ndishyi akwiriye guhabwa.
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[26] Me Ntihemuka Clément abajijwe niba hari ikimenyetso kigaragaza ko Niyonagize atakoraga raporo yagombaga gukora, n’igihe yagombaga kuzikorera, ndetse niba hari ikigaragaza ko yasuzuguye Komite n’igihe byabereye, asubiza ko ikimenyetso ari inyandikomvugo y’inama. Yabajijwe niba hari ikindi kimenyetso kigaragaza ko bamusabaga raporo agasuzugura ubuyobozi, asubiza ko agasuzuguro ari fait juridique atari acte juridique ku buryo babibonera ikindi kimenyetso, ko ahubwo uwasuzuguwe yabikoreraga constat. Ku byerekeye ikibazo cy’uko Niyonagize yaba yarahinduye inyandiko y’amasezerano y’akazi, Me Ntihemuka Clement avuga ko batakibiburanisha nk’ impamvu yo gusesa amasezerano kuko batayifiye ibimenyetso, asaba ko bitanasuzumwa muri uru rubanza. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [27] Ingingo ya 28, igika cya kabiri y’Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ari naryo ryariho igihe cy’amasezerano yavuzwe, igira iti: amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kizwi cyangwa ku murimo uzwi neza ashobora kurangizwa mbere y’igihe cyateganyijwe iyo habayeho ikosa rikomeye cyangwa kumvikana hagati y’impande zombi. Mu gihe iseswa ry’amasezerano ritewe n’ikosa rikomeye, uyasheshe amenyesha undi mu gihe cy’amasaha mirongo ine n’umunani (48). [28] Ingingo ya 3 y’Itegeko N°15/2004 ryo ku wa 12/06/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mu manza n’itangwa ryabyo ivuga ko buri muburanyi agomba kugaragaza ibimenyetso by’ibyo aburana. [29] Muri dosiye hagaragaramo amasezerano y’akazi yasinywe ku wa 31/3/2016 Niyonagize Augustave yagiranye na
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Koperative, aho uyu yahawe akazi ko gukora nk’Umubaruramari n’Umunyamabanga (Secrétaire-Comptable) wa Koperative. [30] Ingingo ya 9 y’ayo masezerano iteganya ko azamara igihe cy’imyaka ibiri (2) ishobora kuzongerwa uhereye igihe yashyiriweho umukono; ayo masezerano ateganya kandi ibyerekeye iseswa ryayo aho avuga ko Umukoresha ashatse gusezerera Umukozi amumenyesha mu nyandiko mbere y’ukwezi kandi uko kwezi akakumuhembera. Impande zombi kandi zumvikanye ko ayo masezerano ashingiye ku biteganywa n’itegeko rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda. [31] Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 ryavuzwe haruguru nta gisobanuro ritanga cy’ikosa rikomeye ryatuma umukozi yirukanwa nk’uko bimeze mu Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ririho ubu. Itegeko rishya risobanura ikosa rikomeye nk’ikosa rikozwe n’umukozi, hashingiwe ku buremere by’icyakozwe, ikitakozwe, imyitwarire, uburyo ryakozwemo cyangwa ingaruka ryateje ku buryo umukoresha aba atagishoboye gukomeza kumukoresha.2 [32] Muri dosiye na none hagaragaramo inyandikomvugo y’inama yo ku wa 15/01/2017 yahuje Komite Nyobozi na Komite Ngenzuzi za Koperative, aho mu byigiwe muri iyo nama harimo n’ikibazo cy’imyitwarire ya Niyonagize Augustave; yemeza ko agomba kwirukanwa kuko bigaragara ko afite agasuzuguro ndetse n’imyitwarire mibi, kandi ko n’akazi atagakora neza nk’uko bikwiye. [33] Dosiye igaragaza kandi ko ku wa 23/1/2017 Perezida wa Koperative witwa Kubitiro Kayonde Audace yanditse ibaruwa
2 Reba ingingo ya 3,7º y’iryo Tegeko.
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asesa amasezerano y’akazi Niyonagize Augustave yagiranye na Koperative. Iyo baruwa ivuga ko impamvu zashingiweho haseswa amasezerano ari ukuba Niyonagize Augustave adashoboye akazi, adatanga umusaruro yari ategerejweho, kutubaha Umukoresha na Komite zose za Koperative. Ikindi kivugwa muri iyo baruwa nk’impamvu yo gusesa amasezerano, ni ukuyahindura ku bw’uburiganya bw’umukozi, ku buryo yanze gutanga kopi ye y’amasezerano y’akazi y’umwimerere ngo agereranywe n’ingingo zigize amasezerano ya bamwe mu bandi bakozi. Iyi ngingo ya nyuma ariko uhagarariye Koperative yavugiye mu iburanisha ko batakiyishingiyeho. [34] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaza ndetse ko ku wa 23/11/2016 no ku wa 17/01/2017 Niyonagize Augustave yanditse atanga ibisobanuro ku mabaruwa yari yandikiwe n’ubuyobozi bwa Koperative ku wa 21/11/2016 no ku wa 12/01/2017 asabwa ibisobanuro, kandi ubuyobozi ntibugaragaza ko butanyuzwe n’ibisobanuro bwahawe. [35] Mu mikirize y’urubanza rusabirwa gusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, mu gika cya 13, Urukiko rwasobanuye ko impamvu Niyonagize Augustave yagombaga kwirukanwa ari uko yandikiwe kenshi n’umuyobozi we asabwa ibisobanuro bijyanye n’imikorere ye, gusuzugura Komite no kutuzuza igitabo yari ashinzwe kuzuza, runabishingiraho ruvuga ko indishyi yahawe zo kwirukanirwa ubusa, amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cy’Avoka yahawe ku rwego rwa mbere bivanyweho. [36] Mu miburanire ye Niyonagize Augustave asobanura ko kuva yahindurirwa inshingano ku wa 08/12/2016 kugeza yirukanwe mu kazi, nta baruwa yigeze yandikirwa asabwa ibisobanuro ngo ayimenyeshwe cyangwa ngo abe yaratumijwe na
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Komite ngo yange kwitaba, bityo ko Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko yirukanywe mu buryo bukurikije amategeko rwamurenganyije. [37] Nk’uko byagarutsweho haruguru, Itegeko riteganya ko mu gihe iseswa ry’amasezerano ritewe n’ikosa rikomeye, uyasheshe amenyesha undi mu gihe cy’amasaha mirongo ine n’umunani (48). Kuba Niyonagize Augustave yaramenyeshejwe ko amasezerano ye y’akazi yasheshwe mu ibaruwa yo ku wa 23/01/2017 nyuma y’iminsi irindwi umwanzuro wo kumwirukana ufatiwe mu nama yo ku wa 15/01/2017, ariko Koperative ikaba itari yabanje kumumenyesha mu gihe giteganywa n’Itegeko, ikosa rikomeye yakoze rituma agomba kwirukanwa, bigaragaza ko ubuyobozi bwa Koperative butubahirije ibyo amategeko ateganya. [38] Byongeye kandi, Urukiko rurasanga impamvu Koperative ivuga mu ibaruwa yayo yo ku wa 23/01/2017 ko arizo zatumye isesa amasezerano y’akazi yari ifitanye na Niyonagize Augustave, cyangwa izavuzwe na Komite Nyobozi na Ngenzuzi mu nama yo ku wa 15/01/2017, aho yagarutse ku myitwarire ya Niyonagize Augustave, nta shingiro zifite mu gihe nta kimenyetso Koperative yatanze kigaragaza imyitwarire mibi imushinja cyangwa ko yananiwe kuzuza inshingano ze, usibye kubivuga mu magambo gusa. [39] Urukiko rurasanga rero mu rubanza rusabirwa gusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, Urukiko Rukuru rwaremeje ko Niyonagize Augustave yirukanywe mu buryo bwemewe n’amategeko hatitawe kureba uburyo byakozwe ngo bihuzwe n’ibigomba kubahirizwa mbere yo gusesa amasezerano nkuko amategeko abiteganya.
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ii. Kumenya niba hari indishyi zigomba gutangwa muri uru rubanza [40] Me Ruberwa Pierre wunganira Niyonagize Augustave avuga ko uregwa agomba gutanga indishyi mu buryo bukurikira: - 2.500.000 Frw kubera kwirukanwa ku kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko; - 1.000.000 Frw y’indishyi mbonezamusaruro akomoka ku mishahara y'amezi abiri atahembwe; - 2.000.000 Frw akubiyemo ay'ikurikiranarubanza n'igihembo cy'Avoka. [41] Ku bijyanye n’ibindi bisobanuro by’indishyi Niyonagize Augustave asaba, Me Ruberwa Pierre avuga ko hazarebwa izari zaregewe mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, zigizwe n’ibi bikurikira: - Indishyi zo kwirukanwa ku kazi: 97.223 Frw x14=1.361.262 Frw; - Umushahara w’amezi abiri atahembwe:80.869x2=161.739Frw - Imishahara ituzuye atahembwe mu mezi 8:(80.869- 70.000) X8=86. 952 Frw; - Konji z’imyaka ibiri zishyurwa: 97.233 Frw X2=192.466 Frw; - Pécule de congés :97 233 Frw x 2=194. 466 Frw; - Iminsi 7 yakoze ku ma konji ya Leta: 97.233 Frw x7/2=30.934 Frw; - Integuza iteganyijwe mu masezerano: 97. 233 Frw;
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- Indishyi zo kudahabwa icyemezo cy’umurimo gikoze neza: 97. 233 Frw x 6=583. 398 Frw; - Indishyi z’akababaro :2.000.000 Frw; - Igihembo cy’ Avoka :500.000 Frw; - Ikirikiranarubanza:500.000 Frw; - Kwishyura igarama:50.000 Frw. [42] Me Ntihemuka Clément uhagarariye Koperative avuga ko Niyonagize Augustave adasobanura indishyi n'icyo zishingiyeho, bityo ko ntazo yahabwa kubera ko ariwe ugomba gusobanura ikirego cye, akanagitangira ibimenyetso. Avuga ko nta ndishyi z'ikurikiranarubanza n'igihembo cy’Avoka Niyonagize Augustave yahabwa kuko nta kuri afite, ko ahubwo, ashingiye ku ngingo ya 111 y’Itegeko ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, kuba Niyonagize Augustave yarashoye Koperative mu rubanza ku maherere, ariwe ukwiye kuryozwa ubwishyu bw’amafaranga akurikira: - 1.200.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cy’Avoka ku rwego rwa mbere n'urwa kabiri; - 1.300.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza kuri uru rwego, yose hamwe akaba 2.500.000 Frw. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [43] Ingingo ya 28, igika cya mbere y’Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryavuzwe haruguru, iteganya ko kwirukanwa bidashingiye ku mategeko
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cyangwa kwegura mbere y’uko amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kizwi arangira bituma uruhande rusheshe amasezerano rutanga indishyi zingana n’umushahara w’igihe cy’amasezerano cyari gisigaye, hatirengagijwe izindi ndishyi zakwishyurwa. [44] Ingingo ya 33 igika cya mbere y’Itegeko ry’umurimo ryavuzwe haruguru, iteganya ko iseswa ryose ry’amasezerano y’akazi rinyuranyije n’amategeko rishobora gutuma hatangwa indishyi z’akababaro. Indishyi z’akababaro zihabwa umukozi wirukanwe binyuranije n’amategeko ntizishobora kujya munsi y’umushahara w’amezi atatu (3), ariko kandi ntizishobora kurenza amezi atandatu (6). [45] Urukiko rurasanga nk’uko byagaragajwe haruguru, Koperative ariyo yasheshe amasezerano y’akazi yagiranye na Niyonagize Augustave mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, bityo hashingiwe ku ngingo y’itegeko rimaze kuvugwa, indishyi zisabwa na Niyonagize Augustave zifite ishingiro, ikaba igomba kubitangira indishyi. [46] Nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru, amasezerano y’akazi Niyonagize Augustave yagiranye na Koperative yari afite igihe cy’imyaka ibiri (2) uhereye kuri 31/03/2016, bivuga ko yagombaga kurangira ku wa 31/03/2018. Koperative yasheshe ayo masezerano ku wa 23/01/2017, hasigaye amezi 14 ngo igihe cyayo kirangire. [47] Dosiye igaragaza kandi ko umushahara mbumbe Niyonagize Augustave yahembwaga ungana na 97.233Frw, havanwaho imisoro n’ibindi, agahembwa angana na 80.869 Frw nkuko n’inkiko zibanza zabyemeje. Nk’uko byagarutsweho ariko muri urubanza, Niyonagize Augustave yatahanaga 70.000 Frw
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gusa nkuko bigaragazwa na receipt yo ku wa 03/08/2016 yakiriyeho umushahara w’ukwezi kwa 07/2016 iri muri dosiye. [48] Urukiko rurasanga mu kugenera Niyonagize Augustave indishyi Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwarabariye ku mushahara mbumbe wa 97.233Frw, ariko hashingiwe ku murongo watanzwe n’uru Rukiko mu rubanza Niwemugeni Jeannette yaburanaga na KCB Bank Rwanda Ltd3 w’uko umukozi usezerewe mu kazi adahabwa umushara mbumbe ahubwo ahabwa umushara atahana mu ntoki (net salary), Niyonagize Augustave agomba guhabwa indishyi z’igihe yari asigaje kingana n’amezi 14 ngo amasezerano ye y’akazi arangire, zibazwe hashingiwe ku mushahara yagombaga gutahana mu ntoki (net salary), bityo akaba agomba guhabwa 80.869 Frw x 14=1.132.166 Frw. [49] Kubyerekeye indishyi z’akababaro Niyonagize Augustave avuga ko yatewe no kwirukanwa ku kazi zingana na 2.000.000 Frw yari yasabye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye ntazihabwe, Urukiko rurasanga zitasuzumwa muri uru rubanza rw’akarengane kuko atazijuririye mu Rukiko Rukuru ngo ruzimwime, ngo ubu abe avuga ko yazirenganyijweho. Ibi kandi ni nako bimeze ku 7.000.000 Frw y’indishyi z’akababaro ko gusiragizwa mu nkiko yasabye bwa mbere muri urwo Rukiko zitari zararegewe mu Rukiko rwabanje. [50] Urukiko rurasanga kandi n’indishyi mbonezamusaruro zingana na 1.000.000 Frw Niyonagize Augustave yasabiye bwa mbere muri uru Rukiko avuga ko zikomoka ku mishahara y’amezi abiri atahawe hamwe n’inyungu zayo, nazo zitasuzumwa muri uru rubanza hakurikijwe umurongo watanzwe
3 Reba urubanza RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 31/01/2019 igika cya 36.
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n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu manza zinyuranye, w’uko kuba umuburanyi wemerewe gusubirishamo urubanza ku mpamvu z’akarengane rukaburanishwa bundi bushya, atakwitwaza iyo nzira kugirango azane ibirego bishya bitari mu murongo w’ibyaregewe urubanza rugishingwa mu rwego rwa mbere cyangwa ingingo zitasuzumwe mu rubanza rusubirishwamo kuko yaba yavuye mu mbibi z’urwo rubanza.4 [51] Urukiko rusanga hari amafaranga y’integuza Niyonagize Augustave yari yasabye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, rusanga akwiye guhabwa 48.611 Frw, ariko ntirwayashyira mu cyemezo cyarwo, akaba nayo agomba kuyahabwa. [52] Ku birebana n’indishyi z’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cy’Avoka Niyonagize Augustave asaba kuri uru rwego zingana na 2.000.000 Frw, Urukiko rurasanga akwiye kugira amafaranga agenerwa kuko byabaye ngombwa ko akurikirana urubanza, anashaka Avoka umwunganira, kandi akaba hari ibyo yatsindiye, ariko kuko amafaranga asaba akabije kuba menshi, Urukiko rurasanga rwamugenera mu bushishozi bwarwo 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza, na 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka, yose hamwe akaba 800.000 Frw. [53] Urukiko rurasanga kandi Niyonagize Augustave akwiye guhabwa indishyi z’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cy’Avoka mu Rukiko Rukuru kuko naho byabaye ngombwa gukurikirana urubanza no gushaka Avoka umwunganira bitewe n’ubujurire
4 Reba urubanza RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2018/SC, rwaciwe ku wa 25/09/2020 haburana Banki y’abaturage na Ukwibishaka Alexis; n’Urubanza RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/SC, rwaciwe ku wa 21/02/2020 haburana Ngizweninshuti Albert na Muhima Giovani
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bwa Koperative bwahawe ishingiro kandi butaragombaga kurihabwa. Rurasanga ariko 1.200.000 Frw yose hamwe yasabaga kuri urwo rwego atarayatangiye ibimenyetso, bityo mu bushishozi bwarwo akaba agenewe 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka na 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza, yose hamwe akaba 800.000 Frw. [54] Urukiko rurasanga nanone agomba guhabwa 200.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza na 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka yari yahawe mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, ndetse akanasubizwa 50.000 Frw yatanzeho ingwate arega muri urwo rukiko nk’uko rwari rwabyemeje kuko urwo rubanza rwavanyweho nta mpamvu. [55] Urukiko rurasanga indishyi zisabwa na Koperative itazihabwa kuko ntacyo itsindiye muri uru rubanza. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [56] Rwemeje ko ikirego cya Niyonagize Augustave gisaba gusubirishamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane urubanza RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG rwaciwe n'Urukuko Rukuru, ku wa 27/02/2020 gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe. [57] Rwemeje ko Niyonagize Augustave yasezerewe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko. [58] Rutegetse Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti, mu izina ry’umuyobozi wayo guha Niyonagize Augustave indishyi zikurikira: - Indishyi zo gusesa amasezerano y’akazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko zingana na 1.132.166 Frw;
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- Umushahara w’amezi 2 atahembwe: 161.739 Frw; - Ikinyuranyo cy’umushahara atahawe mu mezi 8: 86.952 Frw; - Integuza ingana n’iminsi 15: 48.611 Frw; - Amafaranga 200.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza na 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka yari yahawe mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye; - Amafaranga 50.000 Frw yatanzeho ingwate y’Ikirego mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge; - Amafaranga 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza na 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka mu Rukiko Rukuru; - Amafaranga 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza na 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka kuri uru rwego; Yose hamwe akaba ari 3.779.468 Frw.
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NSENGIYUMVA v HAYTON LTD [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA – RS/INJUST/RSOC 00006/2022/SC – (Nyirinkwaya, J. P., Hitiyaremye na Karimunda, J.) 14 Mata 2023] Amategeko agenga imanza z’umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano y’umurimo – Afatwa nk’umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano ariko atanditse, umukozi umaze nibura igihe kigeze ku mezi atandatu yikurikiranye kandi mu buryo buhoraho akorera umukoresha umwe – Umukozi uvuga ko agomba gufatwa muri ubwo buryo, agomba kugaragaza ibimenyetso byerekana ko yakoze koko icyo gihe mu buryo buhoraho. Amategeko agenga imanza z’umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Abakozi b’igihe gito –Ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi – Buri mukozi agomba gutangirwa imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize, n’ubwo yaba akora mu buryo bw’imirimo idashingiye ku masezerano y’akazi yanditse (secteur informel) cyangwa mu gihe yaba akora imirimo igihe gito. Incamake y’ikibazo: Rwanda Biomedical Center yakoranye na Hayton Ltd amasezerano y’ubwikorezi kuva mu mwaka wa 2014. Hayton Ltd yagombaga gushaka abantu (manpower) bo gupakira no gupakurura amakarito y’imiti n’ibindi bikoresho bigenda bishyirwa ahantu hatandukanye mu gihugu RBC yabaga yifuje kubigeza. Ni muri urwo rwego Hayton Ltd yifashishije Nsengiyumva nk’umwe mu bakoraga ako kazi. Nsengiyumva avuga ko yakoreye Hayton Ltd nta masezerano y’akazi yanditse kuva mu mwaka wa 2014 kugera muri Kanama 2017, igihe avuga 85
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ko yageze aho asanzwe akorera abwirwa ko nta kazi gahari. Yegejeje ikibazo cye mu Bugenzuzi bw’Umurimo, ariko ubuhuza burananirana bituma atanga ikirego mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyagatare. Urukiko rwaregewe ku rwego rwa mbere rwaciye urubanza, rwemeza ko ikirego nta shingiro gifite kuko Nsengiyumva yari nyakabyizi, bityo akaba atarahagaritswe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, rutegeka ko nta ndishyi izo arizo zose zigomba gutangwa muri urwo rubanza. Ibi byatumye ajuririra Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Rwamagana, narwo rwemeza ko ubujurire nta shingiro bufite. Iki cyemezo nicyo yasabiye gusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, biremezwa maze muri uru Rukiko rw’Ikirenga habanza gusumwa ikibazo cyo kumenya niba yarirukanywe mu buryo bunyuranye n’amategeko. Urega asubirishamo urwo rubanza avuga ko yirukanwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, nta kosa yeretswe cyangwa indi mpamvu yatuma ahagarikwa igitaraganya nta nteguza, mu gihe nyamara we n’Uregwa bari bafitanye amasezerano y’igihe kitazwi. Uregwa ariwe Hayton Ltd avuga ko Urega atigeze aba umukozi wayo uhoraho, ko ahubwo yari nyakabyizi, ko yamuvanaga ahitwa ku ndege, ko iyo aba yaramukoreye kuva ku itariki ya 09/09/2014 kugeza mu kwezi kwa 08/2017 ari umukozi uhoraho nk’uko abiburanisha, yari kuba afite amasezerano yanditse hagendewe ku biteganywa Itegeko rigenga umurimo, ko umukozi ukoze igihe kirengeje amezi atandatu (6) agomba kuba afite amasezerano y’umurimo yanditse. Ku kibazo cyo kumenya niba hari imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi agomba gutangirwa n’uwari umukoresha we, Urega avuga ko Uregwa yakagombye kuba yaramwandikishije mu Kigo
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cy’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi kuva ku itariki yatangiriyeho akazi, akamutangira imisanzu uhereye kuyo mu gihembwe cya kane cy’umwaka wa 2014 kugeza mu kwezi kwa 8/2017. Bityo akaba asaba uru Rukiko gutegeka Uregwa kumwandikisha muri icyo Kigo (RSSB), ikanamwishyurira imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi itatanze. Uregwa yiregura avuga ko nta misanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi agombaga gutangira Urega kubera ko atigeze aba umukozi we. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Afatwa nk’umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano ariko atanditse, umukozi umaze nibura igihe kigeze ku mezi atandatu yikurikiranye kandi mu buryo buhoraho akorera umukoresha umwe. Umukozi uvuga ko agomba gufatwa muri ubwo buryo, agomba kugaragaza ibimenyetso byerekana ko yakoze koko icyo gihe mu buryo buhoraho. Buri mukozi agomba gutangirwa imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize, n’ubwo yaba akora mu buryo bw’imirimo idashingiye ku masezerano y’akazi yanditse (secteur informel) cyangwa mu gihe yaba akora imirimo igihe gito. Ikirego gisubirishamo urubanza ku mpamvu gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe. Amagarama aherera ku ruhande rw’Uregwa. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko Nº 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 12.
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Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 1, 15, 33 n’iya 47. Itegeko Nº 15/2004 ryo ku wa 12/06/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mu manza n’itangwa ryabyo, ingingo ya 3. Itegeko N° 06/2003 ryo ku wa 22/03/2003 rihindura kandi ryuzuza Itegeko-Teka ryo ku wa 22/08/1974 rigena ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi, ingingo ya 2. Itegeko Nº 51/2001 ryo ku wa 30/12/2001 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 17, 29 n’iya 33. Imanza zifashishijwe: Phoenix Metal na Rwanteli Ntagara Innocent, RSOCAA 0023/09/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku itariki ya 18/06/2010. Urubanza
I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) yakoranye na Hayton Ltd amasezerano y’ubwikorezi ku itariki ya 09/09/2014. Hayton Ltd yagombaga gushaka abantu (manpower) bo gupakira no gupakurura amakarito y’imiti n’ibindi bikoresho bigenda bishyirwa ahantu hatandukanye mu gihugu RBC yabaga yifuje kubigeza. Ni muri urwo rwego Hayton Ltd yashatse abantu bo kuyifasha muri iki gikorwa. Nsengiyumva Ismaël avuga ko yakoreye Hayton Ltd nta masezerano y’akazi kuva mu mwaka wa 2014 kugera muri Kanama 2017, igihe avuga ko yageze aho asanzwe akorera abwirwa ko nta kazi gahari.
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[2] Nsengiyumva Ismaël yabanje kugeza ikibazo cye mu Bugenzuzi bw’umurimo mu Karere ka Gatsibo. Ku itariki ya 29/05/2020, hakozwe inyandikomvugo igaragaza ko ubuhuza bwananirwanye, bituma Nsengiyumva Ismaël yiyambaza inkiko. [3] Mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyagatare, Nsengiyumva Ismaël yavuze ko Hayton Ltd yamwirukanye mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, asaba indishyi zo kwirukanwa mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, integuza, imperekeza, guhabwa icyemezo cy’umurimo n’indishyi zigendanye nacyo, konji atahembewe, imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’akabozi, igihembo cya Avoka, amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’amafaranga y’ingwate y’amagarama. [4] Ku itariki ya 29/10/2019, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyagatare rwaciye urubanza RSOC 00010/2018/TGI/NYG, rwemeza ko ikirego cya Nsengiyumva Ismaël nta shingiro gifite kuko yakoraga nka nyakabyizi igihe yabaga akenewe, bityo akaba atarahagaritswe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, rutegeka ko nta ndishyi izo arizo zose zigomba gutangwa muri uru rubanza, ko n’amagarama yatanze arega ahwanye n’ibyarukozwemo, bityo akaba aherejwe ku Isanduku ya Leta. [5] Nsengiyumva Ismaël yajuririye urwo rubanza mu Rukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Rwamagana, avuga ko urukiko rubanza rwemeje ko atahagaritswe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko kuko yari umukozi ukora nka nyakabyizi rwirengagije ibimenyetso rwiboneye ko yakoreye Hayton Ltd mu buryo buhoraho kuva mu mwaka wa 2014 kugeza mu wa 2017 ubwo yahagarikwaga. [6] Ku itariki ya 31/08/2020, Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Rwamagana, rwaciye urubanza RSOCA
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00013/2019/HC/RWG, rwemeza ko ubujurire bwatanzwe na Nsengiyumva Ismaël nta shingiro bufite, ko imikirize y’urubanza rwajuririwe idahindutse, rutegeka ko nta ndishyi zitangwa muri uru rubanza kuko impande zombi hari ibyo zitubahirije. [7] Mu gufata icyo cyemezo, Urukiko rwasobanuye ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël yagombaga kuba yarafashwe nk’umukozi uhoraho ugengwa n’amasezerano y’igihe kizwi kuko yakoze igihe kirenze amezi 6 yikurikiranye, aho gufatwa nk’umukozi wa nyakabyizi, ariko ko iyirukanwa rye ritakozwe mu buryo bunyuranije n’amategeko kuko ryatewe n’uko amasezerano Hayton Ltd yari ifitanye na RBC yarangiye. Ku birebana n’amafaranga y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi, rwasobanuye ko nubwo ingingo ya 47 (6) y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo ryateganyaga ko umukoresha agomba gushyira abakozi mu bwiteganyirize bw’abakozi hatarebwe ko umukozi ari nyakabyizi cyangwa se afite amasezerano y’akazi yanditse cyangwa atanditse, Nsengiyumva Ismaël yivukije uburenganzira itegeko ryamuhaga kuko yamaze imyaka igera kuri 3 akorera Hayton Ltd adateganyirizwa, ntiyabiregera akiri mu kazi. [8] Nsengiyumva Ismaël yandikiye Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire asaba ko urubanza RSOCA 00013/2019/HC/RWG rwasubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane. Nyuma yo gusuzuma ubusabe bwe, Perezida w’urwo rukiko yandikiye Perezida w'Urukiko rw'Ikirenga amusaba ko rwasubirwamo, nawe mu cyemezo nimero 156/CJ/2022 cyo ku wa 26/08/2022 yemeza ko rwongera kuburanishwa, arwohereza mu Bwanditsi bw’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ruhabwa RS/INJUST/RSOC 00006/2022/SC. [9] Mu myanzuro ye, Nsengiyumva Ismaël yavugaga ko akarengane kari mu rubanza yasabye ko rwasubirwamo
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gashingiye ku kuba yarakoreye Hayton Ltd mu buryo buhoraho yarangiza ikamwirukana mu buryo bunyuranye n’amategeko, Urukiko rukaba rutaramuhaye indishyi zinyuranye zigendanye n’uko kwirukanwa. Yavugaga kandi ko Hayton Ltd itigeze imutangira imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi, agasaba Urukiko kuyitegeka kubikora. Hayton Ltd yashubije iyo myanzuro ivuga ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël atigeze ayikorera mu buryo buhoraho kuko yari nyakabyizi, bityo rero ko itigeze imwirukana mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amatereko ku buryo yabitangira indishyi, ko ndetse nta n’imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi yagombaga kumutangira. [10] Urubanza rwaburanishijwe mu ruhame ku itariki ya 20/03/2023, Nsengiyumva Ismaël yunganiwe na Me Uwiragiye Pierre Céléstin afatanije na Me Ndayambaje Gilbert, naho Hayton Ltd ihagarariwe n’Umuyobozi wayo Ruzibiza Rodrigue yunganiwe na Me Mugenzi Elie. [11] Mu rubanza, ababuranyi bagiye impaka ku bibazo bikurikira: - Kumenya niba Nsengiyumva Ismaël yarirukanywe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, akaba agomba kubiherwa indishyi; - Kumenya niba Hayton Ltd yategekwa kumwishyurira imisanzu ya RSSB; - Ibijyanye n’amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza ku nzego zose baburaniyemo.
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II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYABYO i. Kumenya niba Nsengiyumva Ismaël yarirukanywe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, akaba agomba kubiherwa indishyi [12] Me Uwiragiye Pierre Célestin na Me Ndayambaje Gilbert bunganira Nsengiyumva Ismaël, bavuga ko yirukanywe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko bitewe ni uko yakoreye Hayton Ltd guhera tariki ya 09/09/2014, byagera mu kwezi kwa 08/2017, nyuma y’imyaka itatu, umukoresha we akamubwira ko nta kazi bagifitanye kandi nta kosa yeretswe cyangwa indi mpamvu yatuma ahagarikwa igitaraganya nta nteguza, mu gihe nyamara bari bafite amasezerano y’igihe kitazwi. Bavuga ko muri icyo gihe cyose cy’imyaka itatu (3), Nsengiyumva Ismaël yakoraga mu buryo buhoraho imirimo yo gupakira no gupakurura amakarito y’imiti, kimwe no kuyapanga hakurukijwe ubwoko bwayo, iyo mirimo ikaba yari iteganyijwe mu masezerano ya RBC na Hayton Ltd muri termes de réference, ku rupapuro rwa 21 n’urwa 22, aho bavuga ibikorwa bizakorwa ku buryo buhoraho n’umushahara w’umukozi ku kwezi, bitandukanye n’ibyo Hayton Ltd iburanisha ko bari ba nyakabyizi. [13] Bakomeza bavuga ko ibimenyetso bigaragaza ko yari umukozi uhoraho ari inyandiko z’ubwitabire bw’akazi (amarisiti) abakozi basinyagaho uko baje mu kazi, zigaragaza uko Nsengiyumva Ismaël yakoraga akazi ku buryo buhoraho n’imirimo yakorwaga. Bavuga ko amarisiti babashije kubona ari ayo muri 2016 na 2017, ay’indi myaka bakaba batarayabonye kuko bandikiye RBC iyabitse kugira ngo iyabahe ntibasubize. Bavuga kandi ko ikindi kimenyetso cyerekana ko bakoreraga Hayton Ltd mu buryo buhoraho ari ibaruwa ya RBC yo ku itariki
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ya 27/09/2017, ivuga ko abakozi bayifashaga mu mushinga wa MPPD (Medical Procurement Product Division), bari aba Hayton Ltd yari yatsindiye isoko, ko hari ikibazo kuri abo bakozi ariyo cyashyikirizwa. [14] Bavuga ko mu rwego rw’amategeko bashingira ku ngingo ya mbere, iya 15, igika cya mbere, iya 29 n’iya 33 z’Itegeko Nº 51/2001 ryo ku wa 30/12/2001 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryakoreshwaga igihe bakoraga kugeza igihe amasezerano y’akazi yaseswaga, zigaragaza ko yari umukozi uhoraho ugengwa n’amasezerano atanditse, ku buryo atari kwirukanwa nta nteguza ahawe kimwe n’ibindi amategeko amuteganyiriza. Bavuga nanone ko bashingira ku murongo watanzwe mu rubanza RSOCAA 0023/09/CS rwaciwe ku itariki ya 18/06/2010 haburana Phoenix Metal na Rwanteli Ntagara Innocent, aho Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwasobanuye ukwirukanwa k’umukozi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko n’ibyo agomba guhabwa. [15] Nsengiyumva Ismaël asobanura ko Hayton Ltd itigeze imukura ku ndege nk’uko ibivuga, ko ahubwo yari asanzwe akorera CAMERWA kuva mu mwaka wa 2009 kugeza mu wa 2012, ari umukozi uhoraho, ko nyuma y’aho CAMERWA ihindukiye RBC bakomeje gukorera muri icyo kigo ariko bakorera Solidarite yaje guhinduka Abakoranarukundo, nyuma mu mwaka wa 2014 bakorera Hayton Ltd. Asoza avuga ko ayo ma sosiyete yagendaga amuhererekanya kimwe na bagenzi be, ko kandi hose bakoraga nta masezerano y’akazi yanditse bafite. [16] Me Mugenzi Elie wunganira Umuyobozi wa Hayton Ltd, avuga ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël atigeze aba umukozi wayo uhoraho, ko ahubwo yari nyakabyizi, ko yamuvanaga ahitwa ku ndege, ko iyo aba yarakoreye Hayton Ltd kuva ku itariki ya 09/09/2014 kugeza mu kwezi kwa 08/2017 ari umukozi uhoraho
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nk’uko abiburanisha, yari kuba afite amasezerano yanditse hagendewe ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 17 y’Itegeko rigenga umurimo ryavuzwe haruguru, iteganya ko umukozi ukoze igihe kirengeje amezi atandatu (6) agomba kuba afite amasezerano y’umurimo yanditse. [17] Ku birebana n’amarisiti basinyagaho yatanzwe nk’ikimenyo kigaragaza ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël yakoraga mu buryo buhoraho, Me Mugenzi Elie avuga ko nubwo ayo marisiti Hayton Ltd itayemera kuko ntaho Umuyobozi wayo yigeze ayasinyaho, ko ariko ubwayo ari ikimenyetso cyerekana ko bagiye basinya nka ba nyakabyizi na Nsengiyumva Ismaël arimo, kuko bigaragara ko batakoraga iminsi yose kuko amazina y’abakoze agenda ahinduka umunsi ku munsi, ko muri bose ntawigeze ageza ku minsi itanu (5) y’akazi mu cyumweru. [18] Ruzibiza Rodrigue, Umuyobozi Mukuru wa Hayton Ltd, avuga ko nyuma yo kugirana amasezerano na RBC, buri munsi yajyaga ahitwa ku ndege ku masaha atandukanye agafata umubare w’abakozi bamutumye bitewe n’akazi gakenewe karebana no gupakira cyangwa gupakurura imodoka mu gihe hari iyabaga ije, na Nsengiyumva Ismaël nawe akaba yari muri abo. Asobanura ko iyo yabagezaga kuri RBC, abashinzwe umutekano babinjizaga mu kigo bagakora hari umukozi wa RBC ubagenzura, byagera nimugoroba bagashyirwa ku murongo buri wese akishyurwa amafaranga yakoreye bagataha, ariyo mpamvu ahamya ko nta marisiti bahemberwagaho ahari kuko bari ba nyakabyizi.
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UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [19] Impande zombi ziri muri uru rubanza zemeranya ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël yakoreye Hayton Ltd, ko kandi nta masezerano y’akazi bagiranye mu buryo bwanditse. Icyo batemeranyaho ni uburyo bakoranye kuko Nsengiyumva Ismaël we avuga ko yakoraga mu buryo bw’amasezerano y’igihe kitazwi kuko yakoreye iyo sosiyete mu buryo buhoraho mu gihe kirenze amezi atandatu ateganywa n‘itegeko, ariko Hayton Ltd yo ikavuga ko yari nyakabyizi kuko yamukoreshaga rimwe na rimwe iyo habaga habonetse akazi. Iki kibazo ni cyo kigomba kubanza gusobanuka kugira ngo bimenyekane ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël yirukanywe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko bityo abe yagenerwa n’indishyi zigendanye n’iryo yirukunwa. [20] Ingingo ya mbere, agace ka 33, y’Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryakurikizwaga ubwo Nsengiyumva Ismaël yakoreraga Hayton Ltd, iteganya ko umukozi uhoraho ari umukozi uhabwa akazi mu gihe kizwi cyangwa kitazwi ariko umaze nibura amezi atandatu akurikiranye akorera umukoresha umwe, naho mu gace ka 34 igateganya ko umukozi wa nyakabyizi ari umukozi ukoreshwa umunsi ku munsi. [21] Ingingo ya 15, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko rimaze kuvugwa, iteganya ko amasezerano y’akazi ashobora kuba ayanditse cyangwa atanditse. Akorwa ku buryo bunogeye bene kuyagirana ku mpande zombi [...]. Gihamya y’amasezerano ishobora kuba uburyo bwose bubonetse. [22] Ingingo zimaze kuvugwa, zumvikanisha neza ko nubwo umukozi nta masezerano yanditse yaba afitanye n’umukoresha
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we, ariko amaze nibura igihe kigeze ku mezi atandatu yikurikiranye kandi mu buryo buhoraho amukorera, agomba gufatwa nk’umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano kuko bihita byumvikana ko bayafitanye ariko atanditse. Kugira ngo byemezwe ariko, umukozi uvuga ko agomba gufatwa muri ubwo buryo, agomba kugaragaza ibimenyetso byerekana ko yakoze koko mu gihe cy’amezi atandatu mu buryo buhoraho. [23] Ingingo ya 12, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko Nº 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, iteganya ko urega agomba kugaragaza ibimenyetso by’ibyo aregera. Iyo abibuze, uwarezwe aratsinda. Ibiteganywa n’iyo ngingo, binahura n’ibivugwa mu ngingo ya 3, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko Nº 15/2004 ryo ku wa 12/06/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mu manza n’itangwa ryabyo, iteganya ko buri muburanyi agomba kugaragaza ukuri kw’ibyo aburana. [24] Ku birebana n’uru rubanza, Nsengiyumva Ismaël avuga ko yari umukozi uhoraho, ibimenyetso atanga akaba ari inyandiko z’ubwitabire bw’akazi abakozi basinyagaho uko baje mu kazi (listes de présence), fotokopi ya sheki babikurijeho amafaranga yo kubahemba n’ibaruwa RBC yanditse yemeza ko yari mu bakozi ba Hayton Ltd. [25] Ku bivugwa n’Umuyobozi wa Hayton Company Ltd ko ayo marisiti atayemera kubera ko atayashyizeho umukono, Urukiko rurasanga ibi nta shingiro bigomba guhabwa kubera ko n’ubundi, hashingiwe mu masezerano yo ku itariki ya 18/09/2015 yagiranye na RBC, ntaho yagombaga gusinya kuko mu nyandiko yiswe “General Conditions of Contract“ nayo iri mu zigize ayo masezerano, impande zombi zemeranyije ko ibirebana n’igenzura ry’iyubahiriza ry’aya masezerano rizakorwa
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n’umuyobozi w’umushinga, Bwana Muhoracyeye Plagène, kandi biragaragara ko ayo marisiti yayasinyagaho1. [26] Ibimenyetso rero bigizwe n’amarisiti (listes de présence) Nsengiyumva Ismaël yashyize muri dosiye ashaka kugaragariza urukiko ko yakoreye Hayton Ltd mu buryo buhoraho, byerekana ko yakoze mu buryo bukurikira: - Mu mwaka wa 2016: • Mu kwezi kwa kane yakozemo iminsi 17; • Mu kezi kwa gatanu yakozemo iminsi 2; • Mu kwezi kwa munani yakozemo iminsi 15; • Mu kwezi kwa cyenda yakozemo iminsi 18; • Mu kwezi kwa cumi yakozemo iminsi 16; • Mu kwezi kwa cumi na kumwe yakozemo 19. - Mu mwaka wa 2017: • Mu kwezi kwa mbere yakozemo iminsi 8. [27] Hashingiwe ku bimenyetso bimaze kugaragazwa byatanzwe na Nsengiyumva Ismaël, Urukiko rurasanga ibyo avuga ko yakoreye Hayton Ltd mu buryo buhoraho atari ukuri kubera ko nko mu mwaka wa 2016, bigaragara ko atakoze amezi atandatu yikurikiranya, ndetse ko nta na rimwe yigeze yuzuza
1 CGG 25.2. For the Purpose of the contract management and inspection, the Project Manager shall be: RBC/MPPD/Muhoracyeye Plagène/warehouse operation manager.
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ukwezi, naho mu mwaka wa 2017, akaba yarakozemo ukwezi kumwe gusa, nabwo kandi iminsi umunani gusa. Kubera iyo mpamvu, Urukiko rurasanga rero yari umukozi wa nyakabyizi, uhembwa 1363 Frw ku munsi nk’uko bigaragara mu ibaruwa yo ku itariki ya 30/05/2017 we na bagenzi be bandikiye RBC basaba ubuvugizi kugira ngo bongezwe umushahara. Urukiko rurasanga kuba Nsengiyumva Ismaël atemera ko aribo bayanditse nta shingiro byahabwa kubera ko nawe ubwe yayiburanishije mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyagatare avuga ko nayo iri mu bimenyetso bigaragaza ko bari abakozi bahoraho2. [28] Ku birebana n’ibindi bimenyetso yatanze, Urukiko rurasanga ikigizwe na sheki atari ikimenyetso kigaragaza ko yakoze mu buryo buhoraho muri icyo gihe, kuko nta kindi iyo sheki igaragaza uretse umubare w’amafaranga uyiriho yahawe uwitwa Tuyisenge Gashugi. Ku kimenyetso cy’ibaruwa yanditswe na RBC ku itariki ya 27/09/2017, Urukiko rurasanga nta na hamwe iyo baruwa igaragaza ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël yakoreraga Hayton Ltd mu buryo buhoraho, ahubwo nk’uko na we ubwe abyivugira, nta kindi ivuga uretse kugaragaza ko yari umwe mu bakozi ba Hayton Ltd kandi ibyo nayo ntibihakana. [29] Hashingiwe ku ngingo ya mbere, agace ka 33 n’iya ya 15, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 ryavuzwe haruguru, ndetse no ku ngingo zirebana n’ibimenyetso zerekanywe haruguru hamwe no ku bisobanuro bimaze gutangwa, Urukiko rurasanga nta kimenyetso na kimwe Nsengiyumva Ismaël yagaragarije Urukiko cyerekana ko yakoreye Hayton Ltd mu buryo buhoraho mu gihe cy’amezi nibura atandatu kugira ngo abe yafatwa nk’umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano. Kubera iyo mpamvu, Urukiko rukaba rusanga
2 reba &7 y’urwo rubanza.
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atarirukanywe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko kuko atigeze aba umukozi wa Hayton Ltd mu buryo bukurikije amategeko nk’uko bimaze kugaragazwa. [30] Nyuma yo gusanga Nsengiyumva Ismaël atarirukanywe na Hayton Ltd mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko kubera ko atigeze aba umukozi wayo mu buryo bukurikije amategeko, Urukiko rurasanga bitakiri ngombwa gusuzuma ikibazo kirebana n’indishyi zigendanye n’uko kwirukanwa yari yarushyikirije. ii. Kumenya niba hari imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi Nsengiyumva Ismaël agomba gutangirwa na Hayton Ltd [31] Me Uwiragiye Pierre Célestin na Me Ndayambaje Gilbert bunganira Nsengiyumva Ismaël, bavuga ko Hayton Ltd yakagombye kuba yarandikishije Nsengiyumva Ismaël mu Kigo cy’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi kuva ku itariki 09/09/2014, ikamutangira imisanzu y’igihembwe cya kane cy’umwaka wa 2014, iy’umwaka wa 2015, iy’uwa 2016 n’iy’uwa 2017 kugeza mu kwezi kwa 8. Bavuga ko iyo misanzu igomba kubarirwa ku mushahara fatizo (salaire de base) wa 95.000 Frw gukuba 15%, icyo gipimo kikaba aricyo kigaragara ku rubuga rw’Ikigo cy’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi mu Rwanda: www.imisanzu.rssb.rw, bihwanye na 14.250 Frw buri kwezi, bityo bagasaba Urukiko gutegeka Hayton Ltd kwandikisha Nsengiyumva Ismaël mu Kigo cy’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi (RSSB), ikanamwishyurira imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi itatanze. [32] Me Mugenzi Elie wunganira Umuyobozi wa Hayton Ltd avuga ko nta misanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi bagombaga
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gutangira Nsengiyumva Ismaël kubera ko atigeze aba umukozi wa Hayton Ltd. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [33] Ingingo ya 2, igika cya mbere, y’Itegeko N° 06/2003 ryo ku wa 22/03/2003 rihindura kandi ryuzuza Itegeko-Teka ryo ku wa 22/08/1974 rigena ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi iteganya ko iri Tegeko rireba abakozi bagengwa n’amategeko agenga umurimo, abanyapolitiki bari mu nzego za Leta batarageza ku myaka y’izabukuru n’abakozi ba Leta bagengwa na Sitati. Naho igika cya kabiri cy’iyo ngingo kikagira giti: bafatwa nk’abakozi bavuzwe mu gika cya mbere cy’iyi ngingo, abakozi b’igihe gito... [34] Ingingo ya 47, agace ka 6, y’Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryakurikizwaga ubwo Nsengiyumva Ismaël yakoreraga Hayton Ltd, iteganya ko imwe mu nshingano z’umukoresha ari ugushyira abakozi mu bwiteganyirize bw’abakozi. [35] Ingingo zimaze kuvugwa haruguru zumvikanisha ko uko byagenda kose, buri mukozi agomba gutangirwa imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize kabone n’ubwo yaba akora mu buryo bw’imirimo idashingiye ku masezerano y’akazi yanditse (secteur informel) cyangwa mu gihe yaba akora imirimo igihe gito. [36] Nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru, Nsengiyumva Ismaël yari umukozi wa nyakabyizi wakoreye Hayton Ltd mu gihe cyagaragajwe mu gika 26 cy’uru rubanza, muri icyo gihe cyose akaba yaragombaga gutangirwa imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi hashingiwe ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 47, agace ka
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6 y’Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 yavuzwe haruguru kuko ari inshingano y’umukoresha. [37] Ku bivugwa na Hayton Ltd ko itagombaga gutangira Nsengiyumva Ismaël imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi, ibyo ikabishingira ku kuba atarigeze ayikorera mu buryo bw’amasezerano, Urukiko rurasanga ibyo nta shingiro bifite kubera ko umukozi wese agomba gutangirwa imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize hatitawe ku buryo akoramo, ibi Urukiko rukaba rubishingira ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 2, igika cya mbere n’icya kabiri y’Itegeko N° 06/2003 ryo ku wa 22/03/2003 ryavuzwe haruguru n’ingingo ya 47, agace ka 6, y’Itegeko Nº 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 ryavuzwe haruguru. [38] Hashingiwe ku bisobanuro byose bimaze gutangwa, Urukiko rusanga Hayton Ltd igomba kwegera Ikigo cy’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi kugira ngo ibarishe imisanzu igomba gutangira Nsengiyumva Ismaël mu gihe cyose yayikoreye hashingiwe ku mafaranga 1363 ku munsi nk’uko byagaragajwe haruguru. iii. Ibijyanye n’amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza ku nzego zose baburaniyemo [39] Me Uwiragiye Pierre Célestin na Me Ndayambaje Gilbert bunganira Nsengiyumva Ismaël, bavuga ko Hayton Ltd ikwiye kumuha 3.000.000 Frw y'igihembo cya Avoka na 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza mu nkiko zose, yose hamwe akaba 3.300.000 Frw, agasubizwa na 60.000 Frw y’amagarama yatanze mu nkiko zibanza. [40] Me Mugenzi Elie wunganira Umuyobozi wa Hayton Ltd avuga ko Nsengiyumva Ismaël nta ndishyi agomba guhabwa
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kuko ariwe wishoye mu manza zidafite ishingiro, ko ahubwo ariwe ugomba kuyiha indishyi zingana na 2.000.000 Frw zo kuyishora mu manza na 1.000.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka. [41] Nsengiyumva Ismaël avuga ko nta ndishyi agomba guha Hayton Ltd kuko kuba yariyamabaje ubutabera yaharaniraga uburenganzira bwe kugira ngo arenganurwe. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [42] Urukiko rurasanga indishyi zirebana n’amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ay’ikurikiranarubanza Nsengiyumva Ismaël asaba agomba kuzihabwa kubera ko byagaragaye ko hari akarengane kari mu rubanza yasabye ko rwasubirwamo, kandi bikaba bigaragara ko yagombye gushaka Avoka umwunganira kuva mu nkiko zabanje kugeza kuri uru rwego. Urukiko rurasanga ariko 3.300.000 Frw asaba akabije kuba menshi kandi nta n’ibisobanuro ayatangira, bityo mu bushishozi bwarwo rukaba rumugeneye indishyi zijyanye n’amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka kimwe n’ay’ikurikiranarubanza ziteye ku buryo bukurikira: - 300.000 Frw mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyagatare; - 300.000 Frw mu Rukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Rwamagana; - 800.000 Frw mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga.
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III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [43] Rwemeje ko ikirego cya Nsengiyumva Ismaël gisubirishamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane urubanza RSOCA 00013/2019/HC/RWG rwaciwe n'Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Rwamagana, ku itariki ya 31/08/2022 gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe. [44] Rwemeje ko urwo rubanza ruhindutse ku birebana n’imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi Hayton Ltd igomba gutangira Nsengiyumva Ismaël. [45] Rutegetse Hayton Ltd kwishyurira Nsengiyumva Ismaël imisanzu y’ubwiteganyirize bw’abakozi ihwanye n’iminsi yakoze mu mwaka wa 2016 n’uwa 2017 nk’uko yagaragajwe haruguru. [46] Rutegetse Hayton Ltd kwishyura Nsengiyumva Ismaël amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza ahwanye na: - 300.000 Frw mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyagatare; - 300.000 Frw mu Rukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Rwamagana; - 800.000 Frw mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga. [47] Rutegetse Hayton Ltd guha Nsengiyumva Ismaël 60.000 Frw y’ingwate y’amagarama yatanze mu nkiko zabanje.
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105 NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc
NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’UBUJURIRE – RS/INJUST/RSOC 00011/2022/CA – (Nyirandabaruta, J. P., Ngagi na Kamere, J.) 20 Mata 2023] Amategeko agenga imanza z'umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Gusezererwa mu kazi ku mpamvu z'ubukungu – Kumenyasha umugenzuzi w’umurimo – Igihe cyo kumenyesha umugenzuzi w’umurimo – Umugenzuzi w’umurimo agomba kumenyeshwa urutonde rw’abagomba gusezererwa kubera impamvu z’ubukungu mbere y’uko abakozi basezererwa, agahabwa umwanya wo kugenzura niba koko abari kuri urwo rutonde ari bo bagomba gusezererwa, kandi niba rwarakozwe hubahirijwe ibyo amategeko asaba. Amategeko agenga umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Iseswa ry’amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kitazwi – Gutanga integuza – Iyo nta nteguza yatanzwe n'umukoresha ariko akayivunja mu mafaranga ntabwo bifatwa ko nta nteguza yatanzwe, bityo nta zindi ndishyi zijyanye nabyo zongera gutangwa. Incamake y’ikibazo: Uru rubanza rwatangiriye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, Nyirabwiza avuga ko yagiranye na UNGUKA BANK Plc amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kitazwi, akaba yarayikoreye mu gihe kirenze imyaka icumi (10), ko ku wa 30/07/2018 yatunguwe no gushyikirizwa ibaruwa isesa amasezerano ye y’umurimo y'igihe kitazwi ngo kubera impamvu z’ubukungu, akaba yarirukanwe hatubahirijwe ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo ryariho icyo gihe. 105
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Akomeza avuga ko atahawe integuza akaba asaba guhabwa indishyi zijyanye no kwirukanwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, indishyi zisimbura integuza atahawe, imperekeza no gusubizwa amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cya Avoka. Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwasanze Nyirabwiza yarasezerewe mu buryo budakurije amategeko rumugenera indishyi zitandukanye. Mu bujurire, Urukiko Rukuru rwo rwemeje ko UNGUKA BANK Plc yubahirije ibiteganwa n’amategeko, runemeza ko integuza yatanzwe. Nyirabwiza yasabye ko urubanza rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, biremezwa, avuga ko akarengane ke gashingiye ku kuba Urukiko Rukuru rwaremeje ko ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda byubahirijwe kandi atari byo, integuza ikaba itarubahirijwe ndetse n’ibindi bibazo bituruka ku kwirukanwa mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. Akomeza avuga ko Urukiko rwavuze ko kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw'abakozi UNGUKA BANK Plc yasezereye nta mategeko yishwe, ngo kuko bihagije hatitawe ku gihe yabimenyesherejwe n’abo urwo rutonde ruvuga, ibi bikaba bitandukanye n’umurongo wafashwe n’uru Rukiko mu manza nk’izi. Avuga kandi ko rwirengagije ko na we yari afite uburenganzira bwo kumenyeshwa urwo rutonde na mbere yuko rushyikirizwa Umugenzuzi w’umurimo nawe atigeze arumenyeshwa. Uregwa we avuga ko ikigomba gusuzumwa muri uru rubanza ari ukumenya niba ibihe byo kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo byarubahirijwe kuko ari byo byasuzumwe n’Urukiko Rukuru. Akomeza asobanura ko nta mategeko yishwe kuko nta gihe ntarengwa Umushingamategeko yashyizeho cyo kumenyesha umugenzuzi w’umurimo, ku buryo kumenyeshereza Umugenzuzi w’umurimo rimwe n’Urega nta mategeko yaba
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yishwe. Ko byongeye kandi Urega atasezerewe ku munsi umugenzuzi w’umurimo yamenyesherejwe ibyerekeye gusezerera abakozi ku mpamvu z’ubukungu, ko ahubwo yabimenyeshejwe ku munsi yahereweho integuza y’ukwezi, ko kandi muri icyo gihe, mu rwego rw’amategeko yari akiri umukozi we. Bityo, ikibazo kijyanye n’uburenganzira bwo kumenyeshwa mbere urutonde rw’abakozi yasezereye kitari mu mbibi z’ibigomba gusuzumwa muri uru rubanza. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Umugenzuzi w’umurimo agomba kumenyeshwa urutonde rw’abagomba gusezererwa kubera impamvu z’ubukungu mbere y’uko abakozi basezererwa, agahabwa umwanya wo kugenzura niba koko abari kuri urwo rutonde ari bo bagomba gusezererwa, kandi niba rwarakozwe hubahirijwe ibyo amategeko asaba. Bityo, Kuba Unguka Bank Plc yaramenyesheje Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rwabagomba gusezererwa mu kazi ku mpamvu z’ubukungu, umunsi umwe n’uwo yasezereyeho Nyirabwiza Justine, bisobanuye ko yabifashe nk’umuhango bikaba binyuranyije n’icyo amategeko ateganya. 2. Iyo nta nteguza yatanzwe n’umukoresha ariko akayivunja mu mafaranga ntabwo bifatwa ko nta nteguza yatanzwe, bityo nta zindi ndishyi zijyanye nabyo zongera gutangwa. Bityo. Kuba Unguka Bank Plc itaratanze igihe cy’integuza ariko igaha Nyirabwiza Justine indishyi zihwanye n’amafaranga y’umushahara n’andi mashimwe yagombaga kubona mu gihe cy’integuza, akaba nawe adahakana ko atabihawe, Unguka Bank Plc yubahirije ibiteganywa n’amategeko. Ikirego cyo gusubirishamo urubanza ku mpamvu z'akarengane, gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe.
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Amagarama aherera ku Uregwa. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko No 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 29. Itegeko Nº30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, ingingo ya 55. Itegeko Nº22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 111. Itegeko Nº 45/2011 ryo ku wa 25/11/2011 rigenga amasezerano, ingingo ya 64 n’iya 70. Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo, ingingo ya 21, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33 n’iya 34. Imanza zifashishijwe: RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC; Niwemugeni Jeannette na KCB Bank Rwanda Plc rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 31/01/2020. RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/CS; Ngizweninshuti v Muhima, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 21/02/2020. RSOCAA 0003/15/CS; Rugenera Marc na Soras Assurances Générales Ltd (SORAS AG), rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 05/05/2016. RSOCAA 0001&0002/16/CS; Ntukamazina Jean Baptiste na Prime Insurance Ltd (PRIME), rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 14/10/2016. RSOCAA 0014/12/CS; Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré na Banki ya Kigali Ltd, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga kuwa 18/01/2013.
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RS/INJUST/RCOM 00006/2021/CA; Coopérative de Développement des Anciens Chauffeurs de l’Etat (CODACE) na Ntaganda, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 17/06/2022. RSOCA 00206/2018/HC/KIG; Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd na Niyonsaba Clémentine, rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru kuwa 24/05/2019. RSOCA 00224/2018/HC/KIG; Uwimana Marie Paul n’Abagenzi be n’Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd, rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru kuwa 24/05/2019. RSOCA 00017/2018/HC/KIG; Banque Populaire du Rwanda Ltd na Sekamana Naason n’Abagenzi be rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru kuwa 30/11/2018. Inyandiko z’abahanga zifashishijwe: François Gaudu et Raymonde Vatinet, Droit du travail, 5e édition, Dalloz, 2013, p. 213-214. Gilles Auzero et Emmanuel Dockes; Droit du travail, 30e édition, Dalloz, 2016, p. 610, 619. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Uru rubanza rwatangiriye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, Nyirabwiza Justine avuga ko yagiranye na UNGUKA BANK Plc amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kitazwi, akaba yarayikoreye mu gihe kirenze imyaka icumi (10), ko ku wa 30/07/2018 yatunguwe no gushyikirizwa ibaruwa isesa amasezerano ye y'umurimo y'igihe kitazwi ngo kubera impamvu z'ubukungu, akaba yarirukanwe hatubahirijwe ingingo ya 34
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y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo ryariho icyo gihe, ko atahawe n’integuza, asaba guhabwa indishyi zijyanye no kwirukanwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, indishyi zisimbura integuza atahawe, imperekeza no gusubizwa amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cya Avoka. [2] UNGUKA BANK Plc yireguye ivuga ko Nyirabwiza Justine yayikoreye guhera ku wa 31/01/2008 kugeza ku wa 30/07/2018. Isobanura ko ku wa 30/07/2018 amasezerano y’akazi ya Nyirabwiza Justine yaje guseswa bitewe n’impamvu z’ubukungu, ko kandi amategeko yubahirijwe mu kumwirukana, ko yahawe ingurane ku nteguza, bityo ko indishyi asaba nta shingiro zahabwa. [3] Mu rubanza RSOC 00012/2019/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 28/02/2020, urwo Rukiko rwemeje ko ikirego cya Nyirabwiza Justine gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe, ko kandi yirukanywe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko. Rutegeka UNGUKA BANK Plc kumwishyura 4.556.052 Frw y’indishyi zijyanye no kwirukanwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka no kumusubiza 20.000 Frw y’ingwate y’igarama yatanze arega. [4] UNGUKA BANK Plc ntiyishimiye imikirize y’urubanza iyijuririra mu Rukiko Rukuru ivuga ko Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwemeje ko yasheshe amasezerano y’umurimo mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, ariko ntirwigera rusuzuma impamvu zashingiweho mu gusesa ayo masezerano, ko kandi indishyi zabariwe ku mushahara mbumbe (gross salary) aho kubarirwa ku mushahara umukozi atahana (net salary).
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[5] Ku wa 17/11/2020, Urukiko Rukuru rwaciye urubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rwemeza ko ubujurire bwa UNGUKA BANK Plc bufite ishingiro, ko ubujurire bwa Nyirabwiza Justine nta shigiro bufite, ko imikirize y’urubanza rwajuririwe ihindutse kuri byose. Rwemeza ko 4.556.052 Frw y’indishyi zo kwirukanwa mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, n’amafaranga y’ingwate y’amagarama UNGUKA Bank Plc yari yategetswe guha Nyirabwiza Justine ntayo igomba kumuha. Rutegeka Nyirabwiza Justine guha UNGUKA Bank Plc 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka, 100.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza, akayisubiza 40.000 Frw yatanzeho ingwate y’amagarama. [6] Nyirabwiza Justine yatakambiye Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, asaba ko urubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane. Nyuma yo gusuzuma ubusabe bwe, Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire yandikiye Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga amusaba kwemeza ko urwo rubanza rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, maze mu cyemezo cye nimero 207/CJ/2022, Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yemeza ko urwo rubanza rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, arwoherereza Urukiko rw’Ubujurire kugira ngo abe ari rwo ruruburanisha, ikirego cyandikwa kuri RS/INJUST/RSOC 00011/2022/CA. [7] Urubanza rwaburanishijwe mu ruhame ku wa 11/04/2023, Nyirabwiza Justine ahagarariwe na Me Munyandatwa Nkuba Milton afatanyije na Me Ntaganda Rwamulima Anicet; naho UNGUKA BANK Plc ihagarariwe na Me Nkeza Sempundu Clément. [8] Muri rusange, abahagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine bavuga ko icyo yarenganyeho ari uko Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa
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27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda byubahirijwe kandi atari byo. Ikindi ngo ni uko integuza itubahirijwe. Naho ibindi bibazo bigizwe n’ingaruka zo kwirukanwa mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. Uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc, avuga ko ikigomba gusuzumwa muri uru rubanza ari ukumenya niba ibihe byo kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo byarubahirijwe kuko ari byo byasuzumwe n’Urukiko Rukuru. II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURA RYABYO [9] Impaka muri uru rubanza zigishingiye ku bibazo bikurikira akaba ari byo bigomba gusuzumwa: - Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yarirukanwe mu kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko n’ingaruka zabyo; - Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yarahawe integuza mu gihe UNGUKA BANK Plc yasesaga amasezerano y' umurimo yari ifitanye nawe; - Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yasubizwa amafaranga yategetswe n’Urukiko kwishyura UNGUKA BANK Plc; - Kumenya niba amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza, ay’igarama n’ay’ihembo cya Avoka ndetse n’indishyi zo gushorwa mu manza bisabwa muri uru rubanza bifite ishingiro.
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i. Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yarirukanwe mu kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko n’ingaruka zabyo [10] Abahagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine bavuga ko mu rubanza RSOCA 00109/2020/HC/KIG rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane, Urukiko Rukuru rwavuze ko kuba ku wa 30/07/2018 UNGUKA BANK Plc yaramenyesheje Umugenzuzi w'umurimo urutonde rw'abakozi birukanywe bihagije kuko ari cyo Itegeko ryateganyaga, ko kandi kuba urutonde rwaramenyeshejwe Umugenzuzi w'umurimo umunsi umwe n’amabaruwa asezerera abakozi nta kosa ryakozwe kuko Itegeko ridashyiraho igihe Umugenzuzi w'umurimo agomba kuba yarumenyesherejwemo, cyane ko nta n'icyamubuzaga kugira icyo arukoraho, rwirengagije ibiteganywa n'ingingo ya 34 y'Itegeko N°13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo, ryakurikizwaga mu gihe Nyirabwiza Justine yirukanwaga, ivuga ko mbere yo gusezerera abakozi ku mpamvu z'ubukungu, abakozi bagabanywa mu kigo batondekwa hakurikijwe ubushobozi ku murimo, amashuri, uburambe muri icyo kigo n’umubare w’abo atunze ku buryo bwemewe n’amategeko, bikitabwaho uko bikurikirana, bikamenyeshwa Umugenzuzi w’umurimo mu nyandiko. [11] Basobanura ko kuba Urukiko rwaravuze ko kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw'abakozi UNGUKA BANK Plc yasezereye nta mategeko yishwe, ngo kuko bihagije hatitawe ku gihe yabimenyesherejwe n' abo urwo rutonde ruvuga, binyuranye n' umurongo watanzwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rwa Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré na Banki ya Kigali Ltd mu bika bya 27 – 29 byarwo, aho mu gika cya 28 Urukiko rwagize ruti: kubimenyesha umugenzuzi
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w’umurimo atari umuhango gusa, ahubwo ari ngombwa. Ntabwo umushingamategeko yapfuye kubivuga gusa. Impamvu yabivuze atyo, yagirango umugenzuzi w’umurimo agenzure neza niba urwo rutonde arirwo rukwiye gusezererwa koko, kandi niba rwarakozwe hubahirijwe ibyo amategeko asaba. [12] Basobanura kandi ko ibyo bisobanuro ari nabyo bigaragara mu manza z’ umurimo zaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, zirimo urubanza RSOCA 00206/2018/HC/KIG haburana Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd na Niyonsaba Clémentine, aho mu bika bya 13 – 17, rwasobanuye uburyo iyo ngingo igomba kumvikana, n’urubanza RSOCA 00224/2018/HC/KIG - Uwimana Marie Paul na bagenzi be baburana n’Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd na rwo rwabisobanuye mu gika cya 14– 21, ndetse n’urubanza RSOCA 00017/2018/HC/KIG, haburana Banque Populaire du Rwanda Ltd na Sekamana Naason na bagenzi be, nk’uko bigaragara mu gika cya 18 na 22. Ko ariko mu guca urubanza rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane Urukiko Rukuru rwanyuranije n’iyo mirongo, kandi rwirengagiza ko Nyirabwiza Justine na we yari afite uburenganzira bwo kumenyeshwa urwo rutonde na mbere yuko rushyikirizwa Umugenzuzi w'umurimo nawe atigeze arumenyeshwa. [13] Bavuga kandi ko Nyirabwiza Justine akemanga impamvu z'ubukungu, UNGUKA BANK Plc yagaragaje mu ibaruwa imusezerera, kuko nta n'ikigaragaza ko koko mu gihe yasezererwaga izo mpamvu zariho. Bavuga ko ibyo abishingira ku bimenyetso UNGUKA BANK Plc yitangiye ubwayo, aho yagaragazaga ko ku wa 31/08/2018 yasabye BNR uburenganzira bwo gufunga amwe mu ma shami (branches) yayo, ikayisubiza ku wa 15/10/2018, Nyirabwiza Justine amaze amezi atatu (3)
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yarasezerewe, ndetse akaba atari n'umukozi muri ayo ma shami yagombaga gufungwa ku buryo ari we byagombaga kugiraho ingaruka. Bavuga ko indi mpamvu ituma akemanga impamvu z'ubukungu, UNGUKA BANK Plc yashingiyeho imusezerera ari uko muri uko kwezi kwa cumi (10), UNGUKA BANK Plc yafunguye ishami (branche) rishya, ko itari kuba ifite ibibazo by'ubukungu, ngo ifungure andi ma shami ndetse ngo inashake abandi bakozi bashya nyuma yo gusezerera abari basanzwemo. [14] Bakomeza bavuga na none ko ibyo UNGUKA BANK Plc ivuga ko iseswa ry'amasezerano ya Nyirabwiza Justine rishingiye kuri "évaluation" yakorewe ndetse ko ari na yo yahereweho ashyirwa ku rutonde rw’abakozi basezererwa, ko basanga uburyo iyo évaluation yakozwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n'ubuteganywa n'amasezerano y'umurimo yagiranye na yo, yiswe "perfomance contract" na « Human Resource Manual », nk’uko bigaragara muri “performance contract” yo ku wa 09/05/2018, hagati ya Nyirabwiza Justine na UNGUKA BANK Plc, aho ingingo yayo ya 4 ku bijyanye na “performance evaluation procedures” igira iti: “Before submission of the self-assessment as per set deadline, the supervisor has the responsibility to discuss and arbitrate such performance self-assessment together with the employee in 2 days after and have such the evaluation closed and filled with HR on the 5th day without fail.”, ko ugenekereje mu Kinyarwanda, bivuze ko mbere yo gushyikiriza isuzuma umukozi yikoreye ubwe, umuyobozi umukuriye afite inshingano yo kuyiganiraho n’umukozi mu minsi ibiri ikurikira umunsi iryo suzumwa rikoreweho, rigashyikirizwa HR bitarenze umunsi wa 5. [15] Basobanura ko ingingo ya 6 y’iyo “performance contract”, isobanura neza ko mu gihe umukozi agize amanota ari munsi ya 50% mu bihembwe 2 bikurikirana, amasezerano ye
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y’umurimo aseswa, ibyo akaba ari nako bivugwa muri “manuel de procédure” ya UNGUKA BANK Plc mu ngingo yayo ya 9.5.2. mu gika cyayo kibanziriza icya nyuma, izo ngingo zombi zikaba zihuriza ku kuba umukozi ugize munsi y’amanota angana na 50% mu bihembwe 2 bikurikirana amasezerano ye y’umurimo aseswa, ariko abanje kwihanangirizwa. Bavuga ko kuba UNGUKA BANK Plc ivuga ko kimwe mu byashingiweho isesa amasezerano y’umurimo ya Nyirabwiza Justine ari uko yagize amanota ari munsi ya 50%, kandi yarayabonye mu buryo bunyuranyije n’ ibyumvikanyweho nta shingiro byahabwa, kuko binyuranyije n'ibiteganywa n' Itegeko ryagengaga umurimo muri icyo gihe, ko binanyuranyije n'ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 64 ndetse n’iya 70 z' Itegeko Nº 45/2011 ryo ku wa 25/11/2011 rigenga amasezerano, zishimangira ko amasezerano akozwe mu buryo bukurikije amategeko aba Itegeko ku bayagiranye, kandi ko agomba kubahirizwa nta buriganya. [16] Uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc avuga ko mu rubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, Nyirabwiza Justine yaburanye na UNGUKA BANK Plc nta mategeko yishwe kuko nta gihe ntarengwa Umushingamategeko yashyizeho cyo kumenyesha umugenzuzi w’umurimo, ku buryo kumenyeshereza Umugenzuzi w’umurimo rimwe na Nyirabwiza Justine nta mategeko yaba yishwe. Ko byongeye kandi Nyirabwiza Justine atasezerewe ku munsi umugenzuzi w’umurimo yamenyesherejwe ibyerekeye gusezerera abakozi ba UNGUKA BANK Plc ku mpamvu z’ubukungu, ko ahubwo Umugenzuzi w’umurimo yabimenyeshejwe ku munsi Nyirabwiza Justine yahereweho integuza y’ukwezi, ko kandi muri icyo gihe yari akiri umukozi wa UNGUKA BANK Plc mu rwego rw’amategeko nk’uko biteganywa n’ingingo ya 27, igika cya 2, y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 rigenga umurimo rya 2009 ryakurikizwaga muri icyo
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gihe, kuri ubu hakaba hakurikizwa ingingo ya 29 y’Itegeko No 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, kuko amasezerano ye y’umurimo na UNGUKA BANK Plc yarangiye burundu ku wa 30/8/2018. [17] Avuga kandi ko ku bijyanye n’ibyo Nyirabwiza Justine avuga ko yari afite uburenganzira bwo kumenyeshwa urutonde rw’abakozi basezerewe mbere yuko rumenyeshwa umugenzuzi w’umurimo, ko Urukiko Rukuru rwabisobanuye neza mu rubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, mu gika cyarwo cya 9, ko uwo atari umuhango uteganywa n’Itegeko ku buryo kutawubahiriza byafatwa nko kunyuranya n’ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo kandi ko Nyirabwiza Justine ntacyo yanenze kuri ibyo bisobanuro (motivation) byatanzwe n’Urukiko Rukuru. Ko rero kuba inzira yo gusubirishamo urubanza ku mpamvu z’akarengane ari ubujurire budasanzwe, imbibi z’ikiburanwa zigenwa n’ibyo urega anenga urubanza asubirishamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, nk’ubyo byasobanuwe mu gatabo gasobanuro imiburanishirize ya bene izo manza ku rupapuro rwa 45. Bityo ko kuba Nyirabwiza Justine ntacyo anenga urubanza asubirishamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, ikibazo kijyanye n’uburenganzira bwo kumenyeshwa mbere urutonde rw’abakozi UNGUKA BANK Plc yasezereye ku wa 30/7/2018 kitari mu mbibi z’ibigomba gusuzumwa muri uru rubanza. [18] Akomeza avuga ko ku bijyanye no kuba Nyirabwiza Justine akemanga impamvu z’ubukungu UNGUKA BANK Plc yashingiyeho imusezerera, asanga icyo kibazo kidakwiye gusuzumwa kuko kitigeze gisuzumwa haba ku rwego rubanza ndetse no ku rwego rw’ubujurire, kuko ku rwego rwa mbere hasuzumwe ibibazo bitatu bijyanye no kumenya inkurikizi zo
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kutubahiriza procedure itegetswe mu kugabanya abakozi kubera impamvu z'ubukungu; ibyerekeye izindi ndishyi zikomoka ku makosa ya UNGUKA BANK Plc n'ingaruka byamugizeho; n’ibijyanye no kumenya niba imihango yose isabwa mu gihe habayeho kugabanya abakozi ku mpamvu z'ubukungu yarubahirijwe; bityo ko byumvikana ko yemeranyaga na UNGUKA BANK Plc ko hari impamvu z’ubukungu ariko akanenga ko hatubahirijwe procedure. [19] Asobanura ko mu rubanza No RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, UNGUKA BANK Plc yajuririye ikibazo kijyanye no kumenya niba koko Umugenzuzi w’umurimo ataramenyeshejwe hakurikijwe amategeko, n’icyerekeye ishingiro ry’indishyi yari yategetswe ku rwego rwa mbere, hanyuma mu bujurire bwuririye ku bundi, Nyirabwiza Justine asaba ko indishyi yabariwe zakongerwa, bityo ko asanga ntaho yahera asaba ko urubanza No RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane ashingiye ku bitarasuzumwe muri urwo rubanza, ahubwo ko ibyo bishimangira ko urubanza anenga rutandukanye n’urwo yaburanye na UNGUKA BANK Plc, ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/CS rwaciwe ku wa 21/02/2020 mu gika cyarwo cya 20 n’icya 21, rwavuze ko umuburanyi agomba kugaragaza icyo urubanza anenga rwamurenganijeho, ni ukuvuga icyo rwakoze nabi cyangwa rutakoze, ari na wo washingiweho n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire mu rubanza RS/INJUST/RCOM 00006/2021/CA rwaciwe ku wa 17/06/2022, aho na rwo rwasanze indishyi zasabwaga zitari zaraburanyweho mu rubanza rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane zitagomba gusuzumwa.
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[20] Avuga na none ko ku birebana n’ikibazo cya évaluation yakorewe Nyirabwiza Justine, ko icyo kibazo kidakwiye gushingirwamo hemezwa ko mu rubanza RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG Urukiko rwamurenganije, kuko kitigeze kiburanishwa ku rwego rubanza, cyangwa ngo kibe cyarashingiweho mu icibwa ry’urubanza RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG. Kandi ko Nyirabwiza Justine atigeze agishyikiriza Umugenzuzi w’umurimo n’inkiko zabanje, kuko nawe yemeraga evaluation yakorewe. Byongeye kandi ko n’iyo aza kuba atarishimiye isuzumabushobozi yakorewe ariko akaba atarabiregeye, ntaho yahera avuga ko Urukiko rwamurenganije rushingiye kuri iryo suzumamikorere mu gihe ritaburanyweho. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA 1. Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yarirukanwe mu kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko [21] Impaka muri urubanza zishingiye ahanini ku kumenya niba mu gusezera Nyirabwiza Justine kubera impamvu z’ubukungu, UNGUKA BANK Plc yarubahirije ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryibukijwe haruguru, by’umwihariko ibijyanye no kumenya niba UNGUKA BANK Plc yarubahirije ibijyanye no kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo. [22] Ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryakoreshwaga mu gihe Nyirabwiza Justine yasezererwaga ku murimo iteganya ibikurikira: umukoresha ashobora gusezerera umukozi umwe cyangwa benshi bitewe no kuvugurura imikorere y’ikigo bikorwa kubera ingorane z’ubukungu cyangwa guhindura
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ikoranabuhanga ryakoreshwaga hagamijwe kugira ngo ikigo kirusheho gukora neza. Abakozi bagabanywa mu kigo batondekwa hakurikijwe ubushobozi ku murimo, amashuri, uburambe muri icyo kigo n’umubare w’abo atunze ku buryo bwemewe n’amategeko, bikitabwaho uko bikurikirana. Ibyo bimenyeshwa Umugenzuzi w’umurimo mu nyandiko. [23] Urukiko rurasanga iki kibazo cyo kumenyasha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw’abasezerwa kubera impamvu z’ubukungu cyaratanzweho umurongo n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza RSOCAA 0014/12/CS, haburana Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré na Banki ya Kigali Ltd, aho rwasobanuye ko gukora urutonde rw’abakozi bagomba gusezererwa ku mpamvu zivugwa mu ngingo ya 34 y’Itegeko ryavuzwe haruguru no kurumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo atari umuhango gusa, ahubwo ari ukugira ngo arusuzume neza, bityo arebe ko ibisabwa n’amategeko byubahirijwe1. [24] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaramo ibaruwa yo ku wa 30/07/2018 isesa amasezerano y’akazi UNGUKA BANK Plc yagiranye na Nyirabwiza Justine. Muri iyo baruwa UNGUKA BANK Plc ivuga ko ibabajwe no kumumenyesha ko amasezerano y’akazi yari afitanye na Banki aseshwe ku mpamvu z’ubukungu. Iyo baruwa ivuga kandi ko iryo seswa ry’amasezerano rihita rishyirwa mu bikorwa kuri iyo tariki ya 30/07/2018, ko ahabwa ibyo agenerwa n’amategeko bitarenze ku wa 31/07/2018 amaze gukora ihererekanyabubasha (hand over), ko kandi mu mwanya w’iminsi 30 y’integuza (préavis) ahabwa amafaranga. Dosiye igaragaza kandi ko UNGUKA BANK Plc yamenyesheje Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw’abakozi
1 Reba igika cya 28 cy’urubanza RSOCAA 0014/12/CS, haburana Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré na Banki ya Kigali Ltd rwaciwe ku wa 18/01/2013.
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bagomba gusezererwa kubera impamvu z’ubukungu ku wa 30/07/2018. [25] Ku bijyanye no kumenya niba kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo byarakozwe mu buryo buteganywa n’amategeko, ingingo ya 34 in fine ntabwo ivuga igihe nyacyo umukoresha amenyesherezaho Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw’abakozi bagabanywa mu kigo kubera impamvu z’ubukungu n’uburyo urwo rutonde rwakozwe. Iteganya gusa ko ibyo bimenyeshwa Umugenzuzi w’umurimo. [26] Urukiko rurasanga ariko nubwo iyi ngingo idateganya igihe nyacyo urwo rutondende rumenyeshwa Umugenzuzi w’umurimo, hagomba kurebwa impamvu urwo rutonde rumenyeshwa Umugenzuzi w’umurimo. Nk’uko abahanga mu mategeko babisobanura, Ubugenzuzi bw’umurimo bushinzwe kugenzura niba amategeko n’amabwiriza agenga umurimo byubahirizwa.2 [27] Urukiko rurebye ibiteganywa mu ngingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 ryibukijwe haruguru, rukabihuza n’ibisobanuro byatanzwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rwa Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré na Banki ya Kigali Ltd, aho rwasobanuye ko kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo atari umuhango gusa, ahubwo ari ukugira ngo agenzure neza ko amategeko yubahirijwe ndetse n’inyandiko z’abahanga zisobanura ko Ubugenzuzi bw’umurimo bushinzwe kugenzura niba amategeko n’amabwiriza agenga
2 L’inspection du travail est chargée d’assurer le controle de l’application des prescriptions légales et réglementaires en matière du travail (Françoise Favennec-Hery Pierre-Yves Verkindt, Droit du travail, 6e édition, Paris, LGDJ, 2020, p. 496).
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umurimo byubahirizwa; rurasanga ibi byose byumvikanisha ko umugenzuzi w’umurimo agomba kumenyeshwa urutonde rw’abagomba gusezererwa kubera impamvu z’ubukungu mbere y’uko abakozi basezererwa. Mu yandi magambo Umugenzuzi w’umurimo agomba kumenyeshwa urutonde mbere, agahabwa umwanya wo kugenzura niba koko abari kuri urwo rutonde ari bo bagomba gusezererwa, kandi niba rwarakozwe hubahirijwe ibyo amategeko asaba. [28] Urukiko rurasanga kuba mu gusesengura ingingo ivuzwe haruguru, Urukiko Rukuru rwaremeje ko itegeko rigenga umurimo ritatanze igihe ntarengwa urwo rutonde rugomba kuba rwageze ku Mugenzuzi w’umurimo, ko kandi nta bubasha umushingamategeko yahaye Umugenzuzi w’umurimo bwo kwemeza cyangwa kugira icyo asaba ko gihinduka kuri urwo rutonde rw’abakozi bagomba gusezererwa ku mpamvu z’ubukungu, bivuze ko kubanza kurumuha abakozi batarasezererwa nta nyungu ku mukozi cyangwa ku mukoresha; iyi myumvire y’Urukiko Rukuru ihabanye n’ibyafashweho icyemezo n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rwavuzwe haruguru, kandi kugeza ubu nta kindi cyemezo cy’urwo Rukiko cyagihinduye, aho rwemeje ko, kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw’abakozi bagomba gusezererwa atari umuhango gusa, ahubwo ari ukugira ngo arusuzume neza kandi arebe ko rwakozwe mu buryo bukurikije amategeko. [29] Urukiko rurasanga Urukiko Rukuru rwaragombaga kubona ko ibyo UNGUKA BANK Plc yakoze imenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw’abagomba gusezererwa, umunsi umwe n’uwo yamenyesherejeho Nyirabwiza Justine ko kumusezerera bihise bishyirwa mu bikorwa kuri iyo tariki, ari
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umuhango gusa kandi ko binyuranye n’icyo ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryavuzwe haruguru yari igamije. [30] Urukiko rurasanga ibyo uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc avuga ko urubanza RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rwaciwe ku wa 18/01/2013 haburana Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré na Bank of Kigali Ltd rutakoreshwa muri uru rubanza kuko muri urwo rubanza Bank of Kigali Ltd nta rutonde yari yakoze, nta shingiro byahabwa kuko icy’ingenzi ari uko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwasesenguye ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryavuzwe haruguru rugasobanura ko kumenyesha Umugenzuzi w’umurimo urutonde rw’abakozi bagomba gusezererwa atari umuhango. Kuba rero UNGUKA BANK Plc yaramenyesheje Umugenzuzi w’umurimo, umunsi umwe n’uwo yasezereyeho Nyirabwiza Justine, bisobanuye ko yabifashe nk’umuhango; bityo bikaba binyuranye n’ibyo ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryavuzwe haruguru yari igamije. [31] Urukiko rurasanga na none ibyo uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc avuga ko Nyirabwiza Justine yakomeje kuba umukozi wa UNGUKA BANK Plc kugeza ku wa 30/08/2018 ashatse kumvikanisha ko Umugenzuzi w’umurimo yamenyeshejwe urutonde mbere yuko Nyirabwiza Justine asezerwa ku kazi, nabyo nta shingiro byahabwa, kuko nk’uko byagaragajwe haruguru, UNGUKA BANK Plc niyo yandikiye Nyirabwiza Justine imumenyesha ko kuva ku wa 30/07/2018 atakiri umukozi wayo. [32] Hashingiwe ku bisobanuro bimaze gutangwa, Urukiko rurasanga Nyirabwiza Justine yarasezerewe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, bityo urubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 17/11/2020, rukaba rugaragaramo akarengane, kuri iyi ngingo.
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[33] Urukiko rurasanga izindi mpamvu abahagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine bashingiraho basobanura ko ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 yibukijwe haruguru itubahirijwe, nk’ijyanye n’uburyo amanota yatanzwe, no kuba nta mpamvu z’ubukungu zariho, bitakiri ngombwa kuzisuzuma kubera ko Urukiko rwasanze Nyirabwiza Justine yarasezerewe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko rushingiye ku kuba umugenzuzi w’umurimo ataramenyeshejwe urutonde mu gihe gikwiye mbere yo gufata icyemezo cyo kwirukana umukozi, kandi izi mpamvu nta kindi zari zigamije kitari ugushimangira ko yasezerewe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko. [34] Urukiko rurasanga nyuma yo kwemeza ko Nyirabwiza Justine yasezerewe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko hagomba gusuzumwa ingaruka zabyo, ni ukuvuga ishingiro n’ingano by’indishyi z’akababaro asaba kugenerwa. ii. Kumenya ishingiro n’ingano by’indishyi z’akababaro Nyirabwiza Justine yagenerwa [35] Ingingo ya 33 y’Itegeko No 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ryakoreshwaga igihe Nyirabwiza Justine yasezererwaga ku kazi, iteganya ibikurikira: iseswa ryose ry’amasezerano y’akazi rinyuranyije n’amategeko rishobora gutuma hatangwa indishyi z'akababaro. Indishyi z’akababaro zihabwa umukozi wirukanwe binyuranije n’amategeko ntizishobora kujya munsi y’umushahara w’amezi atatu (3), ariko kandi ntizishobora kurenza amezi atandatu (6). Ibi ntibibuza itangwa ry’ imperekeza umukozi yari asanzwe afiteho uburenganzira. Mu gika cya 2 cy’iyi ngingo ivuga ibikurikira: iyo umukozi afite uburambe ku kazi burenze imyaka icumi (10) ku mukoresha umwe, indishyi z’akababaro ntizishobora kurenga
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umushahara w’amezi icyenda (9). Ibi kandi ni ko bigenda ku bakozi bari intumwa z’abakozi n’abahagarariye sendika. [36] Mu rubanza RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 31/01/2020, haburana Niwemugeni Jeannette na KCB Bank Rwanda Plc, urwo Rukiko rwasobanuye ko amafaranga umukozi wasezerewe ahabwa ari ahwanye n’umushahara atahana mu ntoki (salaire net) aho kuba umushahara mbumbe. Rwasobanuye kandi ko uwo murongo uhindura umurongo wari wafashwe mu manza zaciwe mbere n’urwo Rukiko, zirimo urubanza RSOCAA 0003/15/CS rwaciwe ku wa 05/05/2016, haburana Rugenera Marc na Soras Assurances Générales Ltd (SORAS AG) n’urubanza RSOCAA 0001&0002/16/CS rwaciwe ku wa 14/10/2016, haburana Ntukamazina Jean Baptiste na Prime Insurance Ltd (PRIME); muri izo manza hakaba hari haremejwe ko amafaranga ahabwa umukozi igihe asezerewe ku kazi abarirwa ku mushahara mbumbe (brut), ariko nta bisobanuro bishingiye ku mategeko byatanzwe.3 [37] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaramo inyandiko yiswe “Payship” igaragaza ko Nyirabwiza Justine yahembwaga umushara mbumbe ungana na 506.228 Frw, naho umushahara yatahanaga ukaba 318.648 Frw. [38] Imikirize y’urubanza RSOC 00012/2019/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 28/02/2020, igaragaza ko Nyirabwiza Justine yagenewe indishyi z’akababaro zingana n’imishahara icyenda ni ukuvuga 506.228 Frws x9 =4.556.052 Frw.
3 Reba igika cya 36.
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[39] Nk’uko byagaragajwe haruguru, Nyirabwiza Justine yirukanwe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, bityo rero agomba kugenerwa indishyi z’akababaro zingana n’umushahara we w’amezi icyenda kuko yasezerewe ku kazi amaze imyaka irenze icumi muri UNGUKA BANK Plc. Urukiko rurasanga izo ndishyi zigomba kubarirwa ku mushahara yatahanaga aho kuba ku mushahara mbumbe nk’uko byemejwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza rwa Niwemugeni Jeannette na KCB Bank Rwanda Plc rwavuzwe haruguru, ni ukuvuga 318.648 Frw X 9 = 2.867.832 Frw, aho guhabwa 4.556.052 Frw yemejwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rubariye ku mushahara mbumbe. 2. Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yarahawe integuza mu gihe UNGUKA BANK Plc yasesaga amasezerano y' umurimo yari ifitanye nawe [40] Abahagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine, bavuga ko ibijyanye n'integuza mu rubanza rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane, Urukiko rwagarutse ku kuba urutonde rw’abakozi basezerewe rwaramenyeshejwe umugenzuzi umunsi umwe n’amabaruwa atanga integuza anasezerera abakozi, bitavuze ko Umugenzuzi atarumenyeshejwe mbere yo gusezerera abakozi, rubishingiye ku kuba muri ayo mabaruwa asezerera abakozi harimo ko umukozi ahawe integuza (préavis), ibyo ngo bikaba bivuze ko umukozi aba agitegereje atarasezererwa mu kazi burundu. Ko ibi bisobanuro Urukiko Rukuru rwatanze, Nyirabwiza Justine asanga binyuranyije n'ibiri mu ibaruwa isesa amasezerano ye y’umurimo ifite ref. UB/CEO/529/SC/532/018 yo ku wa 30/07/2018 yandikiwe n’Umuyobozi Mukuru wa UNGUKA BANK Plc, aho isobanura impamvu yayo mu buryo butaziguye, ikaba yaramumenyeshaga ko "amasezerano
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y'umurimo yari afitanye na Banki asheshwe kandi ko icyo cyemezo gitangira kubahirizwa guhera ku itariki ya 30/07/2018. [41] Basobanura ko muri iyo baruwa ntaho UNGUKA BANK Plc yateganyaga ko icyo cyemezo gishobora gusubirwaho nk'uko Urukiko rwashatse kubyumvikanisha, ndetse ko nta n'aho iyo baruwa isobanura igihe iyo nteguza yagombaga kurangirira, uretse kuvuga gusa ko integuza isimbujwe amafaranga. Ko rero iyi ari imwe mu mpamvu Nyirabwiza Justine ashingiraho agaragaza ko yarenganijwe, cyane ko asanga ubwo busobanuro bunyuranyije n’ubuteganywa n’amategeko, n’ubutangwa n’abahanga mu mategeko cyangwa ibigaragara mu manza zaciwe, ko integuza igomba kumenyeshwa mu nyandiko uruhande ireba, hakanagaragazwa impamvu zituma amasezerano aseswa. [42] Bakomeza basobanura ko ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 29 y’Itegeko rigenga umurimo, aho igira iti: amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kitazwi ashobora guseswa igihe cyose iyo umwe mu bayagiranye abishatse ariko ku mpamvu zumvikana. Iryo seswa ribanzirizwa n’integuza itangwa n’urishaka, ari na byo abahanga mu mategeko basobanuye muri aya magambo, ugenekereje mu Kinyarwanda, ko igihe cy’integuza gihwanye n’igihe kiri hagati yo kumenyesha gusezera ku kazi cyangwa gusezerera umukozi n’igihe nyakuri cyo guhagarika akazi k’umukozi4,, kandi ko ingingo ya 30 y’iryo Tegeko isobanura uburyo integuza igomba gutangwamo, igira iti: integuza igomba kumenyeshwa mu nyandiko uruhande ireba hagaragazwa n’impamvu zituma amasezerano aseswa. Avuga ko ibyo na byo abahanga mu
4 “Le délai de préavis correspond à la période qui doit s'écouler entre la notification de démission ou de licenciement de l'employé et la date effective du départ de l'employé”.
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mategeko bagize icyo babivugaho bashingiye ku byemezo inkiko zagiye zifata ku birebana no kumenyesha integuza, aho uwitwa Jean Pélissier na bagenzi be bavuga ko « umukoresha wafashe icyemezo cyo gusesa amasezerano agomba kumenyesha mu ibaruwa ishinganye umukozi wasezerewe n’impamvu z’uko gusezererwa. Urukiko rusesa imanza rutandukanya imenyesha ry’isezererwa kandi runashyiraho ibihano bikarishye mu gihe imenyesha ritakozwe mu buryo buteganywa n’itegeko5. [43] Basobanura na none ko abahanga mu mategeko barimo uwitwa Céline Lavachy na bagenzi bavuze ko igihe cy’integuza cyagenwe n’amasezerano y’umurimo kigize ingingo y’ayo masezerano, itagomba guhindurwa ku bushake bw’umukoresha gusa6, ko basanga rero mu gihe byaba bigenze bityo byaba binyuranye n’ingingo ya 64 y’Itegeko rigenga amasezerano ryibukijwe haruguru, iteganya ko amasezerano akozwe ku buryo bukurikije amategeko aba itegeko ku bayagiranye. Bityo ko Nyirabwiza Justine anenga kuba Urukiko rwaremeje ko yahawe integuza kandi ntayo yahawe. [44] Bavuga na none ko ibivugwa na UNGUKA BANK Plc ko yahaye Nyirabwiza Justine integuza atari byo, kuko ifite uburyo itangwamo, ko bashingiye ku ngingo ya nayo 70 y' Itegeko N° 45/2011 ryo kuwa 25/11/2011 rigenga amasezerano, iteganya ko buri ruhande rufite inshingano yo kurangiza amasezerano nta
5Le législateur prévoit que l’employeur, auteur du licenciement doit notifier le licenciement au salarié par lettre recommandée et qu’il doit mentionner dans cette lettre le ou les motifs de licenciement» kandi ko: "La Cour de cassation isole la notification du licenciement des phases de la procédure de licenciement et instaure une sanction rigoureuse lorsque la notification ne répond pas aux exigences de la loi" 6 “La durée de préavis fixée par le contrat de travail constitue un élément de ce contrat et ne peut donc être modifié unilatéralement par l’employeur”.
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buriganya kandi rukarangwa n‟imikorere myiza yemerwa ku bagiranye amasezerano", basanga kuba amasezerano y'umurimo y'igihe kitazwi ya Nyirabwiza Justine yagiranye na UNGUKA BANK Plc yarateganyaga ko mu gihe hari uruhande rwifuza gusesa amasezerano rugomba guha urundi integuza, UNGUKA BANK Plc yafashe icyemezo cyo kuyasesa, yari ifite inshingano yo kumuha integuza hashingiwe ku byateganywaga n'ayo masezerano impande zombi zashyizeho umukono, no ku biteganywa n'ingingo ya 1 agace ka 21, y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo, iteganya ko guhagarika amasezerano y’akazi bikozwe n’umukoresha nta mpamvu igaragara cyangwa hadakurikijwe uburyo bwateganyijwe n’amategeko byitwa kwirukanwa nta mpamvu, akaba ari na byo UNGUKA BANK Plc yakoze yirukana Nyirabwiza Justine. Ko rero akarengane gashingiye ku kuba Urukiko Rukuru rwarirengagije ibyo byose, maze rukavuga ko ibyo UNGUKA BANK Plc yakoze byakurikije amategeko ndetse ko na Nyirabwiza Justine yahawe integuza. [45] Uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc avuga ko ibyo Nyirabwiza Justine ashingiraho ku ngingo ya mbere, n’ibyo ashingiraho ku ngingo ya kabiri asaba ko urubanza RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, nta na hamwe bihura n’ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 55 y’Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, ko ahubwo asa n’aho atangije urubanza ku rwego rwa mbere, yirengagije ko habayeho izindi manza zaciwe zanashingiweho mu kohereza uru rubanza muri uru Rukiko. Ko uretse n’ibyo kandi, atashoboye kugaragariza Urukiko Rukuru ikimenyetso cy’uko nta nteguza yahawe, cyangwa ko atayihawe mu nyandiko ngo rureke kucyitaho.
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[46] Asobanura ko ikirego cya Nyirabwiza Justine kitagomba guhabwa ishingiro, hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 55 y’itegeko N°30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, na cyane ko atagaragaza icyo Urukiko Rukuru rwavuze cyangwa icyo icyemezo rwafashe cyamurenganijeho ku ngingo ebyiri ashingiraho akarengane avuga ko yagiriwe, zijyanye no kuba igihe cy’integuza gihwanye n’igihe kiri hagati yo kumenyesha gusezera ku kazi cyangwa gusezerera umukozi n’igihe nyakuri cyo guhagarikira akazi k’umukozi, no kuba integuza igomba kumenyeshwa mu nyandiko uruhande ireba hagaragazwa n’impamvu zituma amasezerano aseswa, ngo agihuze n’ingingo ya 55 y’Itegeko rimaze kuvugwa. [47] Avuga kandi ko Nyirabwiza Justine atagaragarije Urukiko rwaciye urubanza mu bujurire ikimeneyetso cy’uko nta nteguza yahawe, cyangwa ko atayihawe mu nyandiko ngo rube rutaracyitayeho. Ko ahubwo yirengagiza nkana ko mu ibaruwa isesa amasezerano, isobanura neza ko ahawe integuza y’ukwezi kumwe, ni ukuvuga kuva ku wa 30/7/2018 kugeza ku wa 30/8/2018, ariko ko umukoresha yahisemo kuyivunjamo amafaranga, kandi ko ibyo byubahirije Itegeko, kandi ko na we ubwe yemera ko yahawe amafaranga mu mwanya w’integuza nk’uko agaragara kuri décompte final ye, ariko akabirengaho avuga ko atahawe integuza. Ko rero ibyo bitekerezo bye byombi bidakwiye kubangikanywa mu rubanza rumwe. [48] Akomeza avuga ko ibyo Nyirabwiza Justine avuga ntacyo bishingiyeho, kuko ingingo ya 32 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryakurikizwaga icyo gihe, iteganya ko iseswa ryose ry’amasezerano y’akazi y'igihe kitazwi, nta nteguza cyangwa se igihe cy’integuza kitarubahirijwe cyose, bituma uyasheshe aha undi indishyi
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y'amafaranga angana n'umushahara n’andi mashimwe yagombaga kubona mu gihe cy’integuza kitubahirijwe. Ko ku bijyanye n’aya mafaranga atangwa n'usheshe amasezerano y'umurimo nta nteguza cyangwa igihe cy'integuza kitubahirijwe cyose, mu rurimi rw'igifaransa rwakoreshejwe mu Itegeko yiswe "Indemnité compensatoire de préavis”, ibyo bikaba byumvikanisha ko Umushingamategeko yatanze amahitamo yo gutanga integuza mu gihe cyangwa mu mafaranga. [49] Asobanura ko ari nako Urukiko rw'Ikirenga rwabisobanuye mu rubanza RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC [32,33] haburana Niwemugeni Jeannette na KCB BANK Rwanda Plc, aho Urukiko rwasobanuye neza ko iyo igihe cy'integuza kitatanzwe kigasimbuzwa umushahara n'andi mashimwe umukozi yagomba guhembwa mu gihe cy'integuza nta tegeko riba ritubahirijwe, kandi ko ari na ko Urukiko Rukuru rwabiboneye mu rubanza RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, nk’uko bigaragara mu gika cya 18, aho rwasobanuye neza ko kuba Nyirabwiza Justine yarahawe mbere amafaranga yagombaga guhabwa igihe cy’integuza kirangiye, ntacyo bihindura ku biteganywa n’Itegeko ku nteguza, ahubwo ko ari we bifitiye inyungu, kuko mu gihe cy’integuza yagombaga gukomeza gukora, akagira uburenganzira ku munsi umwe mu cyumweru wo gushaka akazi. Ko kuba atarabikoze, bivuze ko umukoresha yamuhaye iminsi y’ukwezi kose, kandi agahabwa umushahara we (amafaranga asimbura integuza), nabyo ari we wabigizemo inyungu. [50] Asoza avuga ko hashingiwe ku bisobanuro bimaze gutangwa, by’uko Nyirabwiza Justine yahawe integuza ivujwe mu mafaranga kandi bikaba byubahirije ibiteganywa n’itegeko, UNGUKA BANK Plc isanga nta karengane yagiriwe mu rubanza
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RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG asubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, kuko atabasha kuvuguruza iyo myumvire y’Urukiko. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [51] Ingingo ya 29 y’Itegeko No 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ryakoreshwaga igihe Nyirabwiza Justine yasezererwaga ku kazi, iteganya ko amasezerano y’akazi y’igihe kitazwi ashobora guseswa igihe cyose iyo umwe mu bayagiranye abishatse ariko ku mpamvu zumvikana. Iryo seswa ribanzirizwa n’integuza itangwa n’urishaka. [52] Ingingo ya 32 y’Itegeko No 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 ryibukijwe haruguru iteganya ko iseswa ryose ry’amasezerano y’akazi y'igihe kitazwi, nta nteguza cyangwa se igihe cy’integuza kitarubahirijwe cyose, bituma uyasheshe aha undi indishyi y'amafaranga angana n'umushahara n’andi mashimwe yagombaga kubona mu gihe cy’integuza kitubahirijwe. [53] Nk’uko byagaragajwe haruguru, ibaruwa UNGUKA BANK Plc yandikiye Nyirabwiza Justine ku wa 30/07/2018, imumenyesha ko isheshe amasezerano y’akazi bari bafitanye, inamumenyesha ko bigomba guhita bishyirwa mu bikorwa (with immediate effect), bivuze ko nta gihe cy’integuza cyatanzwe. Nk’uko bimaze kugaragazwa haruguru, iyo nta gihe cy’integuza cyatanzwe, hatangwa indishyi zihwanye n’amafaranga y’umushahara n’andi mashimwe umukozi yagombaga kubona mu gihe cy’integuza, kandi ibyo UNGUKA BANK Plc yarabikoze. Ibi byo gusimbuza igihe cy’integuza amafaranga,
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ntabwo ari umwihariko w’Itegeko rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, kuko nk’uko byibukijwe mu rubanza RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC7 rukurikije ibivugwa n’abahanga mu mategeko François Gaudu na Raymonde Vatinet, kimwe na Gilles Auzero na Emmanuel Dockes8, umukoresha ashobora gusaba umukozi kutaza mu kazi mu gihe cy’integuza, ahubwo akamugenera ingurane mu mafaranga. Kuba rero UNGUKA BANK Plc itaratanze igihe cy’integuza ariko igaha Nyirabwiza Justine indishyi zihwanye n’amafaranga y’umushahara n’andi mashimwe umukozi yagombaga kubona mu gihe cy’integuza, Nyirabwiza Justine akaba adahakana ko atabihawe, Urukiko rurasanga UNGUKA BANK Plc yarubahije ibiteganwa n’ingingo ya 32 y’Itegeko No 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 ryibukijwe haruguru; bityo kuri iyi ngingo nta karengane kagaragara mu rubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 17/11/2020.
7 Reba urubanza RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rwaciwe ku wa 31 Mutarama 2020, haburana Niwemugeni Jeannette na KCB BANK Plc. 8 “Le préavis est en principe une période de travail, le salarié devant rester à la disposition de l’employeur. L’employeur peut cependant dispenser le salarié de l’exécution du préavis, en lui versant alors l’équivalent du salaire sous forme d’une indemnité de préavis;” François Gaudu et Raymonde Vatinet, Droit du travail, 5e édition, Dalloz, 2013, p. 213-214. “Le délai–congé ou préavis n’existe en principe que dans les cas où la rupture du contrat de travail résulte de la volonté unilatérale d’une des parties au contrat: licenciement, ……. L’employeur a droit de dispenser unilatéralement le salarié d’exécuter son travail pendant le délai-congé à condition de lui verser toutes les sommes que celui-ci aurait perçues s’il avait fourni sa prestation de travail jusqu’à l’expiration du préavis.” Gilles Auzero et Emmanuel Dockes; Droit du travail, 30e édition, Dalloz, 2016, p. 610, 619.
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3. Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yahabwa indishyi kubera ingaruka yatewe n’icyemezo cyo kumwirukana (dommages et intérêts en réparation du préjudice subi) [54] Abahagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine bavuga ko kuba Nyirabwiza Justine kugeza ubu adashobora kongera kujya gupiganira akazi, no kuba icyemezo UNGUKA BANK Plc yamufatiye kidashyize mu gaciro cyaramuvukije amahirwe ye yo kubona pension imukwiye, ku buryo yatangiye kugerwaho n’ingaruka zacyo, ari impamvu zikomeye zituma agomba guhabwa indishyi zihwanye n'umushahara we w'amezi 12, ni ukuvuga 542.292 Frw x 12 (amezi) = 6.507.504 Frw, kubera izo ngaruka, igihombo ndetse n’ubuzima (situation) icyo cyemezo cyamushyizemo.9 [55] Uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc avuga ko indishyi zihwanye n’umushahara w’amezi 12 Nyirabwiza Justine asaba kuri iyi ngingo ntacyo zishingiyeho. Ko uretse no kuba atarabashije kugaragaza ishingiro ry’akarengane mu rwego rw’amategeko (droit) hashingiwe n’uko ibintu biteye (faits), kuvuga ko adashobora gupiganira akazi ahandi, niba koko byarabaye bitatewe na UNGUKA BANK Plc, kuko icyo iyi Banki yakoze ari ugusesa amasezerano kubera impamvu z’ubukungu, kandi ko yamuhaye ibyo amategeko ateganya
9 Abahanga mu mategeko, barimo uwitwa Jean Pélissier na bagenzi be na Gilles Auzero & Emmanuel Dockès, bose bahuriza ko:” Le droit de l’employeur de dispenser le salarié de fournir sa prestation de travail pendant le préavis est, comme tout droit, susceptible d’abus. Il y a abus lorsque la décision de l’employeur s’accompagne d’une brutalité et de méfiance, qui fait supposer aux tiers que le salarié a commis une faute grave. Dans ce cas, l’employeur devra non seulement payer une indemnité compensatrice de préavis, mais également des dommages et intérêts en réparation du préjudice subi par le salarié”.
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byose. Avuga kandi ko nta na hamwe UNGUKA BANK Plc yigeze yandika cyangwa yemeze ko Nyirabwiza Justine afite ubusembwa butuma atakongera gupiganirwa akazi, cyangwa ko atashaka akazi ahandi ngo atangirwe ubwitegenyirize butuma azabona pension. Bityo ko indishyi Nyirabwiza Justine asaba kuri iyi ngingo nta shingiro zifite. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [56] Urukiko rurasanga Nyirabwiza Justine usibye kuvuga gusa ko asaba indishyi zihwanye n'umushahara we w'amezi 12 kubera ingaruka yatewe n’icyemezo kidakurikije amategeko cyafashwe na UNGUKA BANK Plc, nta garagaza ingingo y’itegeko ashingiraho azisaba, nta nubwo agaragaza ko mu gusezerwa kwe hari ihohoterwa cyangwa kumusebya byaba byarakozwe na UNGUKA BANK Plc, bityo rero izi ndishyi asaba nta shingiro zifite kuko ntaho zishingiye. 4. Kumenya niba Nyirabwiza Justine yasubizwa amafaranga yategetswe n’Urukiko kwishyura UNGUKA BANK Plc [57] Uhagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine avuga ko mu rubanza rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane, Urukiko rwategetse Nyirabwiza Justine guha UNGUKA BANK Plc indishyi zingana na 640,000 Frw, bityo akaba asaba ko mu gihe Urukiko rwaramuka ruhaye ishingiro ikirego cye, rukwiriye gutegeka UNGUKA BANK Plc kumusubiza ayo mafaranga. [58] Uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc avuga ko kugeza ubu Nyirabwiza Justine atabasha kugaragaza aho akarengane avuga ko yagiriwe gashingiye mu rwego rw’amategeko (droit), hashingiwe k’uko ibintu biteye (faits), bityo ko urubanza RSOCA
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00079/2020/HC/KIG rukwiye kugumana agaciro karwo. Kandi ko indishyi Nyirabwiza Justine yategetswe kwishyura UNGUKA BANK Plc zari zifite ishingiro, zikaba zigomba kugumaho kuko yareze UNGUKA BANK Plc yirengagije nkana ko amasezerano yasheshwe kubera ingorane z’ubukungu, kandi akaba yarahawe ibyo amategeko amuteganyiriza byose. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [59] Imikirize y’urubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 17/11/2020, igaragaza ko Nyirabwiza Justine yategetswe guha UNGUKA Bank Plc 500.000 y’igihembo cya Avoka, 100.000 y’ikurikiranarubanza, no kuyisubiza 40.000 yatanzeho ingwate y’amagarama. Yose hamwe akaba ari 640.000 Frw [60] Urukiko rurasanga, nk’uko byagaragaye haruguru, kuba Nyirabwiza Justine yarasezerewe na UNGUKA BANK Plc mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, agomba gusubizwa 640.000 Frw yishyuye UNGUKA BANK Plc harangizwa urubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 17/11/2021. 5. Kumenya niba amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza, ay’igarama n’ay’ihembo cya Avoka ndetse n’indishyi zo gushorwa mu manza bisabwa muri uru rubanza bifite ishingiro [61] Abahagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine bashingiye ku ngingo ya 24, agace ka 3 no ku ngingo ya 34 z’Amabwiriza Nº 01/2014 agena ibihembo mbonera by'Abavoka, basaba Urukiko rw’Ubujurire gutegeka UNGUKA BANK Plc kwishyura Nyirabwiza Justine 3.000.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka,
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kubera imirimo itandukanye yakoze akurikirana urubanza kuva ku rwego rwa mbere kugeza kuri uru rwego rw' Ubujurire. [62] Bavuga kandi ko bashingiye ku ngingo ya 111 y’Itegeko Nº22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi basaba Urukiko gutegaka UNGUKA BANK Plc guha Nyirabwiza Justine 3.500.000 Frw y’indishyi zo kuba yaramushoye mu manza zitari ngombwa. [63] Bavuga na none ko bashingira ku biteganywa mu ngingo ya 269, y’Itegeko Nº22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru asaba UNGUKA BANK Plc gusubiza Nyirabwiza Justine ingwate y’amagarama ingana 20.000 Frw yatanze arega ku rwego rwa mbere. [64] Uhagarariye UNGUKA BANK Plc avuga ko Nyirabwiza Justine akwiye kwirengera amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka yaba yarishyuye muri izi manza yishoyemo akazitsindwa, kuko kugeza ubu azi neza ko UNGUKA BANK atari yo yamureze, ko kandi kuba kugeza ubu atabashaka kugaragaza akarengane yatewe n’urubanza RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG. [65] Avuga kandi ko 3.500.000 Frw y’indishyi Nyirabwiza Justine asaba UNGUKA BANK Plc ko adakwiye kuzihabwa, kuko ari we watangije imanza akazishoramo UNGUKA BANK Plc ayirega hanyuma akazitsindwa, kugeza ubu kandi akaba atabasha kugaragaza akarengane yagiriwe mu rubanza RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG. Ko ari we wahisemo gukomeza imanza z’amaherere (actions témeraires et véxatoires) yirengagije nkana ko amasezerano yasheshwe ku mpamvu no mu buryo byemewe n’amategeko, kandi ko yahawe ibyo amategeko amuteganyiriza byose. Bityo ko indishyi asaba ntaho zishingiye.
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[66] Akomeza avuga ko ingwate y'amagarama kimwe n'ibindi byose yatanze mu rubanza, Nyirabwiza Justine asaba akwiye kuzabyirengera, kuko ari we wasubirishijemo urubanza ku mpamvu z'akarengane, kandi atabasha kunenga icyemezo cyarufashwemo, akaba agomba kwirengera inkurikirizi zose zaturuka ku kirego yatanze. [67] Avuga na none ko UNGUKA BANK Plc itanze ikirego kiregera kwiregura, isaba kwishyurwa ibyo yatakaje byose ku rubanza kuri uru rwego, aho yiyambaje Abavoka, ndetse ikanatanga amafaranga yo gukurikirana urubanza bitewe na Nyirabwiza Justine ukomeje kuyishora mu manza, yirengagije nkana ko amasezerano y’umurimo yasheshwe mu buryo bikurikije amategeko kubera ingorane z’ubukungu, kandi yarahawe ibyo amategeko amuteganyiriza byose. Bityo ko asaba Urukiko gutegeka Nyirabwiza Justine gusubiza UNGUKA BANK Plc 1.500.000 Frw akubiyemo ay’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo. [68] Abahagarariye Nyirabwiza Justine biregura ku mafaranga UNGUKA BANK Plc isaba bavuga ko nta shingiro afite kuko ari yo yatumye habaho imanza yirukana Nyirabwiza Justine mu buryo bunyuranije n’amategeko. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [69] Ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko N° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 28/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza mbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ibikurikira: ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza ni ikirego gishamikira ku kirego cy’iremezo kigamije kwishyuza ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza. Ikirego cy’amafaranga
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y’ikurikiranarubanza kiburanishirizwa rimwe n’ikirego cy’iremezo. Gishobora kandi kwakirwa kikanaburanishwa n’iyo ikirego cy’iremezo cyaba kitakiriwe. [70] Urukiko rurasanga Nyirabwiza Justine agomba kugenerwa amafaranga yatakaje akurikirana anaburana uru rubanza, ariko ayo asaba ni menshi hakurikijwe ibyakozwe mu rubanza, mu bushishozi bwarwo rumugeneye 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka na 200.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza kuri uru rwego, 500.000 y’igihembo cya Avoka yo mu Rukiko Rukuru yiyongera kuri 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka yari yagenewe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, yose hamwe akaba 1.700.000 Frw agomba gutangwa na UNGUKA BANK Plc. Rurasanga kandi igomba kumusubiza 20.000 Frw y’amagarama yatanze arega mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge. [71] Ku bijyanye n’indishyi zo gushorwa mu manza ku maherere Nyirabwiza Justine asaba, Urukiko rurasanga adakwiye kuzihabwa, kuko nubwo UNGUKA BANK Plc yasheshe amasezerano mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, ariko ntabwo ari yo yatangije urubanza, ahubwo yararezwe iriregura; bityo izi ndishyi Nyirabwiza Justine asaba nta shingiro zifite. [72] Urukiko rurasanga amafaranga y’ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza UNGUKA BANK Plc isaba nta shingiro afite kuko byagaragaye ko urubanza RSOCA 00097/2020/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 17/11/2021 rurimo akarengane.
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III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [73] Rwemeje ko ikirego cyatanzwe na Nyirabwiza Justine cyo gusubirishamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane urubanza N° RSOCA 00097/2020/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 17/11/2020, gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe. [74] Rutegetse UNGUKA Bank Plc guha Nyirabwiza Justine 2.867.832 Frw y’indishyi zo kwirukanwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko. [75] Rutegetse UNGUKA BANK Plc gusubiza Nyirabwiza Justine 640.000 Frw yishyuye UNGUKA BANK Plc harangizwa urubanza RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 17/11/2021. [76] Rutegetse UNGUKA BANK Plc guha Nyirabwiza Justine 1.700.000 Frw akubiyemo ay’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka ku nzego zose. [77] Rutegetse UNGUKA BANK Plc gusubiza Nyirabwiza Justine 20.000 Frw y’amagarama yatanze arega ku rwego rwa mbere.
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IMANZA MBONEZAMUBANO
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RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA - RC 00001/2023/SC (Mukamulisa, P.J., Cyanzayire, Hitiyaremye, Kazungu, Kalihangabo, J.) 22 Ukuboza 2023] Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza – Ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza – Habaho ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza iyo hari ibyemezo bitandukanye by’inkiko bitagishoboye kujuririrwa kandi bikaba bidashobora kurangizwa icyarimwe, inkiko zaregewe zikaba zikwiye kwemeza imanza cyangwa urubanza rukwiye kuvaho. Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza – Ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza – Urubanza ruteshwa agaciro – Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari urundi rubanza rwaciwe mbere ku mpamvu zimwe, ku kiburanwa kimwe, hagati y’ababuranyi bamwe kandi rwabaye ndakuka (autorité de la chose jugée), hakurwaho urubanza rwa kabiri hakagumaho urwa mbere rwabaye ndakuka – Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari imanza ebyiri zidashobora kubangikanywa (deux décisions inconciliables) kandi zidashobora kurangirizwa rimwe, hateshwa agaciro rumwe muri izo manza cyangwa zombi. Incamake y’ikibazo: Kahabaye yapfuye afite abana batatu aribo Rutayisire, Umubyeyi na Rutaganda ariko nabo bakaba barapfuye hasigara Rutayisire. Umubyeyi yari yarashakanye na Kayigana babyarana abana babiri aribo bazungura be bahagarariwe na se Kayigana, na Rutanganda nawe yabyaye abana babiri aribo Twagirayezu na Mukankurikiyimana. 143
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Abazungura ba Umubyeyi bahagarariwe na Kayigana batanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo basaba kuzungura, Urukiko rwemeza ko abazungura ba Umubyeyi bagabana na Rutayisire imitungo ya Kahabaye. Nyuma yo kwemezwa ko ari bene Rutaganda, Twagirayezu na Mukankurikiyimana batambamiye urwo rubanza, Urukiko rwisumbye rwemeza ko nabo bagabana ku mitungo izungurwa. Rutayisire n’abazungura ba Umubyeyi bajuririye icyo cyemezo mu Rukiko Rukuru, rwemeza ko icyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye gikuweho kuko icyo cyemezo cyahinduraga ikindi cyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze cyari cyaramaze kuba itegeko. Twagirayezu na Mukankurikiyimana bajuririye mu Urukiko rw’Ikirenga hanyuma rusanga Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwari rufite ububasha maze rutesha agaciro icyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, rugumishaho icyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge. Rutayisire n’abazungura ba Umubyeyi batanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire barusaba gukemura ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017, icyo kirego nticyakirwa kubera ko muri izo manza harimo urwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, mu gihe Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ivuguruzanya ry’imanza zaciwe n’inkiko ziri munsi yarwo cyangwa ubwarwo rwaciye. Rutayisire yiyambaje Urukiko rw’Ikirenga asaba ko hakemurwa ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya hagati y’izo manza. Twagirayezu na Mukankurikiyimana batanze inzitizi yo kutakira icyo kirego bavuga ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nta bubasha rugifiteho ariko Urukiko rusanga iyo nzitizi nta shingiro ifite ko
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Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma hanyuma iburanisha rikomeza mu mizi. Abarega bavuga ko urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwahaye agaciro ibyemejwe mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, zombi zafashe ibyemezo bitandukanye k’ugomba kuzungura inzu irimo butike 3 hamwe n’ikibanza gifatanye n’izo butike. Basaba ko urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rukwiye kuvanwaho, hakagumaho urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo kuko nta cyemezo cy’urukiko cyaruhinduye mu buryo buteganywa n’amategeko. Abaregwa bavuga ko nta kuvuguruzanya kuri mu manza zavuzwe haruguru kuko iyo kubaho Rutayisire atari kuba yarafashe ibyo Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwamugeneye. Akomeza asobanura ko zo manza zaciwe abazungura bose bagahabwa imitungo kuko iyo hagize abazungura bagaragara nyuma y’izungura, habaho izungura rishyashya kugira ngo hatagira uhezwa mu burenganzira bwo kuzungurana n’abandi. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Haba ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza iyo hari ibyemezo bitandukanye by’inkiko bitagishoboye kujuririrwa kandi bikaba bidashobora kurangizwa icyarimwe, inkiko zaregewe zikaba zikwiye kwemeza imanza cyangwa urubanza rukwiye kuvaho. Bityo, ibyemejwe mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ku wa 29/02/2008 bitandukanye n’ibyemejwe mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe
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n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa ku wa 17/03/2017, izo manza rero zikaba zivuguruzanya, zikaba zidashobora kurangirizwa icyarimwe kuko zombi zabaye itegeko. 2. Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari urundi rubanza rwaciwe mbere ku mpamvu zimwe, ku kiburanwa kimwe, hagati y’ababuranyi bamwe kandi rwabaye ndakuka (autorité de la chose jugée), hakurwaho urubanza rwa kabiri hakagumaho urwa mbere rwabaye ndakuka - Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari imanza ebyiri zidashobora kubangikanywa (deux décisions inconciliables) kandi zidashobora kurangirizwa rimwe, hateshwa agaciro rumwe muri izo manza cyangwa zombi. Bityo, Urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017 rugomba kuvaho kubera amakosa yarukozwemo, byumvikanisha ko n’urubanza rufite N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017, narwo ruvuyeho. Urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS, zikuweho. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko Nº 15/2004 ryo ku wa 12/06/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mu manza n’itangwa ryabyo, ingingo ya 106; Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 14, 111 Nta manza zifashishijwe
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Inyandiko z’abahanga zifashishijwe: Jacques Boré, La cassation en matière civile, Paris, Dalloz, 1997, p. 440. Loic Cadiet et Emmanuel Jeuland, Droit judiciaire privé, Paris, 11e éd., Litec, 2022, p.805. Serge Guinchard, Op.cit. p.1700. Kureba kandi Natalie Fricero et Pierre Julien, “Procédure Civile”, 5e éd., lextenso, 2014, p. 441. France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre Sociale, 14 décembre 2022 N° 21-15.601; France, Cour de cassation, civile, Chambre civile 3, 6 février 2020, 18-24.946, France; France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre civile 2, du 22 janvier 2004, 01-11.665, N° de pourvoi: 01-11.665; Belgique, Cour de cassation, 07 décembre 2011, P.11.1861.F. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, Umubyeyi Catherine (+) na Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène (+) ni bene Kahabaye Joseph (+). Umubyeyi Catherine yasize abana 2, ari bo Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella. Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène nawe yasize abana 2 ari bo Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice. [2] Abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine aribo Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella bahagarariwe na se Kayigana Jean Baptiste, batanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze
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rwa Nyamirambo barega Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, basaba kugabana imitungo yasizwe na Kahabaye Joseph1. [3] Mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008, Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo rwemeje ko Rutayisire Jean de Dieu agabana imitungo ya nyakwigendera Kabahaye Joseph n’abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine, rutegeka ko: i. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yegukana inzu irimo butike 3 iri ku Kivugiza hamwe n’ikibanza gifatanye nayo, ishyamba riri munsi yazo, isambu iri mu gishanga ku Giticyinyoni, ikibanza kiri i Nyamirambo mu Gatare, igipande cy’isambu iri i Bugesera, ibyo Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yikubiye bifite agaciro ka 10.505.000 Frw. ii. Abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine ari bo Kayigana Isaro Darlène na Umubyeyi Gabriella begukana inzu ya nyina wa Umubyeyi Catherine witwaga Mukankusi Antoniya iri ku Kivugiza, inzu ikodeshwa iri i Nyamirambo kuri kaburimbo, itongo rya Kahabaye Joseph riri ku Kivugiza, isambu iri i Zivu n’igipande cy’isambu iri mu Bugesera, runategeka abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine kugurisha ikibanza cya nyakwigendera Kahabaye kiri ku Kicukiro bakubaka itongo ry’uwo nyakwigendera. [4] Nyuma yo kwemezwa ko ari bene Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène bikozwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo mu rubanza no RC 0268/08/TB/NYB - RC 0269/08/TB/NYB
1 Urubanza rwahawe no RC 0559/05/TD/NYB/RC 38788/02, ruza gusibwa, abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine bongera kurubyutsa rwandikwa kuri no RC 0140/07/TB/NYB.
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rwaciwe ku wa 20/06/2008, Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice batambamiye urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo, basaba ko nabo bagira uruhare ku mutungo wa nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph. Ikirego cyabo cyahawe N° RC 0471/09/TB/NYB ariko nticyakirwa, nyuma batanga ikindi kirego mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, basaba kubona uruhare rwa se ku mutungo wa nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph. [5] Mu rubanza no RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, rwemeje ko ikirego cy’abazungura ba Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène gifite ishingiro, rutegeka ko: i. Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice bahabwa inzu irimo butike 3 iri ku Kivugiza, hamwe n’ikibanza n’ishyamba bifatanye n’izo butike, inzu ikodeshwa iri i Nyamirambo n’isambu iri Zivu. ii. Abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine ari bo Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella bahawe kuzungura inzu ya nyina wa Umubyeyi Catherine witwaga Mukankusi iri ku Kivugiza, ikibanza kiri i Nyamirambo mu Gatare, isambu iri mu Bugesera n’ikibanza kiri ku Kicukiro. iii. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu we ahabwa itongo rya nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph riri ku Kivugiza, isambu iri mu gishanga cya Giticyinyoni, n’ibyo yikubiye bifite agaciro gahwanye na 10.505.000 Frw. [6] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu n’abazungura ba Umubyeyi Catherine bajuririye urwo rubanza mu Rukiko Rukuru, bavuga ko Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rutari rufite ububasha
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bwo kuburanisha uru rubanza, no kuba nta nyungu abazungura ba Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène bafite zo gusaba umugabane mu mutungo utakiriho kuko urubanza rwawugabanyije rwabaye itegeko2. [7] Mu rubanza N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG rwaciwe ku wa 30/12/2013, Urukiko Rukuru, rushingiye ku kuba Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rutari rufite ububasha bwo guhindura ibyemejwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo mu rubanza n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB kandi rwarabaye itegeko, rwemeje ko urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rukuweho. [8] Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice bajuririye mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga. Mu rubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe ku wa 17/03/2017, Urwo Rukiko rwasanze Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwari rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ikirego rwari rwaregewe, rutesha agaciro urubanza N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG, rutegeka ko hagumaho imikirize y’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE.
2 Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yaburanye avuga ko yagurishije imwe mu mitungo yatsindiye mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ku wa 29/02/2008, igizwe n’inzu irimo butike 3 iherereye Kivugiza na SIBOMANA Eugène kuri 10.000.000 Frw nk’uko biri mu masezerano y’ubugure bagiranye ku wa 25/09/2011 ndetse no mu masezerano y’ubugure yabereye imbere ya noteri w’ubutaka ubwo bakoraga mutation ku wa 02/10/2014. (Mu ibaruwa yo ku wa 04/01/2019, Ikigo gishinzwe imicungire y’ubutaka cyandikiye Mukankurikiyimana wari wagisabye amakuru ku kibanza gifite UPI 1/01/08/01/356 kiri ku Cyivugiza, kimumenyesha ko cyanditse kuri SIBOMANA Eugène wakiguze na Rutayisire Jean de Dieu).
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[9] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire arusaba gukemura ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017. Umwanditsi Mukuru yemeje ko ikirego kitakiriwe kubera ko mu manza uwareze asabira gukemurirwa ivuguruzanya, harimo urwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, mu gihe Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ivuguruzanya ry’imanza zaciwe n’inkiko ziri munsi yarwo cyangwa izo ubwarwo rwaciye. [10] Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yahise atanga ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga arusaba gukemura ikibazo cy’iryo vuguruzanya ry’imaza zimaze kuvugwa haruguru. Avuga ko ari yo nzira yonyine yakemura ikibazo cy’uburenganzira bwe n’ubw’abaregwa kuko bugonganira ku mutungo umwe hashingiwe ku manza 2 zabaye itegeko. [11] Mu myanzuro yabo, uruhande rwa Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice rwatanze inzitizi yo kutakira icyo kirego kubera ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga nta bubasha rugifiteho. [12] Urubanza rwaburanishijwe mu ruhame ku wa 26/06/2023, Rutayisire Jean de Dieu ahagarariwe na Me Niyondora Nsengiyumva na Me Nkeza Sempundu Clément, Mukankurikiyinka Béatrice yunganiwe na Me Seburikoko Jérémie akanahagararira Twagirayezu Béatha, naho Umubyeyi Gabriella na Kayigana Darlène Isaro bahagarariwe na Me Habineza Gasore Gilbert. Ababuranyi babanje kujya impaka ku nzitizi yavuzwe haruguru yatanzwe na Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice.
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[13] Mu rubanza rubanziriza urundi N° RC 00001/2023/SC rwaciwe ku wa 28/07/2023, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwemeje ko iyo nzitizi y’iburabubasha nta shingiro ifite, ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ububasha bwo gukemura ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza zaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma, bityo rukaba rufite ububasha bwo gusuzuma ikibazo cy’ivuguruzanya ry’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017. [14] Iburanisha ry’uru rubanza ryashyizwe ku wa 20/11/2023, uwo munsi ababuranyi bajya impaka ku kibazo cyo kumenya niba hari ukuvuguruzanya hagati y’urubanza RC 0140/07/TB/NYB n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS, kumenya niba urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rugomba kuvanwaho no kumenya niba indishyi zisabwa muri uru rubanza zikwiye gutangwa. II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYABYO. i. Kumenya niba hari ukuvuguruzanya hagati y’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS. [15] Me Niyondora Nsengiyumva na Me Nkeza Sempundu Clément baburanira Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, bavuga ko Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice bajya gutanga ikirego mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge bari
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babanje kugerageza gutambamira imikirize y’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB batari babayemo ababuranyi ariko ikirego cyabo nticyakirwa, babonye iyo nzira itabahiriye, birengagiza ihame ry’ubudahangarwa bw’urubanza rwabaye itegeko (autorité de la chose jugée) bahitamo kujya kurega mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye basaba ko ibyafashweho icyemezo mu rubanza rwabaye ndakuka bisubirwamo bitanyuze mu nzira z’ubujurire zisanzwe cyangwa zidasanzwe. [16] Bavuga kandi ko urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwahaye agaciro ibyemejwe mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, zombi zafashe ibyemezo bitandukanye k’ugomba kuzungura inzu irimo butike 3 hamwe n’ikibanza gifatanye n’izo butike, ko basanga nta kundi icyo kibazo cyo kuvuguruzanya kw’ibyemezo by’inkiko byabaye ndakuka cyakemuka, uretse gusaba uru rukiko kwemeza uko kuvuguruzanya kw’imanza no gukiranura ababuranyi kuri icyo kibazo kuko izo manza zombi zidashobora kurangizwa icyarimwe. [17] Bakomeza bavuga ko kubera amakosa yakozwe mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS, uburenganzira bwabo bugonganira ku mutungo umwe hashingiwe ku manza 2 zabaye itegeko. [18] Me Seburikoko Jeremie uburanira Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice, avuga ko nta kuvuguruzanya kuri mu manza zavuzwe haruguru kuko iyo kubaho Rutayisire Jean de Dieu atari kuba yarafashe ibyo Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwamugeneye. [19] Akomeza avuga ko atazi impamvu Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yagaruye izo manza kandi zaraciwe abazungura bose
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bagahabwa imitungo, ko kandi nk’uko byemejwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge bikanashimangirwa n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu manza zamaze kuvugwa, iyo hagize abazungura bagaragara nyuma y’izungura, habaho izungura rishyashya kugira ngo hatagira uhezwa mu burenganzira bwo kuzungurana n’abandi. [20] Me Munyaneza Rémy na Me Habineza G. Gilbert baburanira Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella bavuga ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rukwiriye kuzemeza ko habayeho ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza, aho Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwageneye Rutayisire Jean de Dieu umutungo maze no mu rundi rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge narwo rukemeza ko uwo mutungo wavuzwe mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB ugenerwa Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice, kandi izo manza zombi zikaba zarabaye itegeko. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [21] Ingingo ya 106 y’Itegeko Nº 15/2004 ryo ku wa 12/06/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mu manza n’itangwa ryabyo, iteganya ko “Ububasha bw’urubanza rwabaye ndakuka bugarukira gusa ku cyaburanywe kigakiranurwa. Ikintu cyaburanywe kigomba kuba kimwe, ikirego kigomba kuba gishingiye ku mpamvu imwe, icyo kirego kigomba kuba cyerekeye ababuranyi bamwe kandi bakiburana mu izina ryabo rya mbere”. [22] Ingingo ya 14 y’Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza
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z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ko “Urubanza rwaciwe ku rwego rwa nyuma rudashobora kongera kuburanishwa bundi bushya ku mpamvu zimwe no ku kiburanwa kimwe hagati y’ababuranyi bamwe baburana ikirego kimwe”. [23] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaza ko mu kirego cyatanzwe na Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, asaba Urukiko kwemeza ko hari ukuvuguruzanya hagati y’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ku wa 29/02/2008 hamwe n’urubanza RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe ku wa 10/03/2017. Ashingira ku mpamvu zikurikira: i. Urubanza RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS, rwirengagije ihame ry’uko urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwabaye ndakuka (autorité de la chose jugée). ii. Imanza yaregeye ko zivuguruzanya ntizishobora kurangizwa icyarimwe kuko zategetse ibintu bitandukanye k’ugomba kuzungura inzu irimo butike 3 hamwe n’ikibanza gifatanye n’izo butike. [24] Amategeko y’u Rwanda ntateganya ibigomba gushingirwaho kugira ngo hemezwe ko imanza zivuguruzanya, cyangwa uko bigenda mu gihe Urukiko rwaregewe iryo vuguruzanya rusanze rihari. Niyo mpamvu mu gukemura ikibazo kiri muri uru rubanza, Urukiko rwifashisha ibisobanuro bitangwa n’abahanga mu mategeko.
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[25] Umuhanga mu mategeko Jacques Boré, mu gitabo cye yise La cassation en matière civile, asobanura ko ivuguruzanya ry’imanza ritareberwa mu mpamvu zashingiweho, ahubwo ko ikirebwa ari uko ibyemezo byafashwe bidashobora kurangizwa icyarimwe (Les décisions doivent contenir des dispositions inconciliables, il ne suffit pas qu’il y ait contradiction entre les motifs des deux décisions. Il est nécessaire que les deux décisions soient inconciliables dans leur exécution)3. [26] Loic Cadiet na Emmanuel Jeuland mu gitabo cyabo Droit judiciaire privé nabo bavuga ko imanza zivuguruzanya ari imanza zitagishoboye kujuririrwa kandi ibyemezo byafashwe bikaba bidashobora kurangizwa icyarimwe (La contrariété de jugements peut être invoquée lorsque deux décisions sont inconciliables sans qu’aucune d’elles ne soit susceptible d’un recours ordinaire qui permettrait de résoudre la contradiction […] )4. [27] Umuhanga mu mategeko Serge Guinchard5 agaragaza ko mu gihugu cy’Ubufaransa, kuregera ko hari imanza zivuguruzanya bishoboka mu bihe 2 bikurikira: i. Igihe Urukiko rwaregewe bwa kabiri ikirego kimwe gisa n’icyasuzumwe mbere, umuburanyi akabyutsa inzitizi y’uko icyo kirego kidakwiye kwakirwa kubera ko hari urundi rubanza rwaciwe mbere ku mpamvu zimwe, ku kiburanwa kimwe, hagati y’ababuranyi bamwe, kandi rwabaye ndakuka, maze
3 “Jacques Boré, La cassation en matière civile, Paris, Dalloz, 1997, p. 440. 4 Loic Cadiet et Emmanuel Jeuland, Droit judiciaire privé, Paris, 11e éd., Litec, 2022, p.805. 5 Serge Guinchard, Op.cit. p.1700. Kureba kandi Natalie Fricero et Pierre Julien, “Procédure Civile”, 5e éd., lextenso, 2014, p. 441.
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urwo Rukiko rukabyirengagiza, ahubwo rugaca urubanza runyuranye n’urwaciwe mbere. Ibyo ubwabyo biba impamvu yo kuregera Urukiko Rusesa kubera ko hari imanza zivuguruzanya. Iyo urwo Rukiko rusanze koko hari ukuvuguruzanya hagati y’imanza, rukuraho urwa kabiri hakagumaho urwa mbere rwabaye ndakuka. (Il peut arriver que le plaideur intéressé soulève devant le juge saisi une seconde fois du mȇme litige, l’autorité de la chose jugée, mais que l’Irrecevabilité de la demande ne soit pas prononcée et qu’un second jugement, incompatible avec le premier, soit rendu. Un pourvoi en cassation fondé sur la contrariété de décisions peut être formé contre le jugement second en date. Si la contrariété est constatée, elle se résout au profit du premier jugement. Cette solution est logique, puisque l’autorité de la chose jugée avait été soulevée devant le second juge, qui l’a méconnue). ii. Igihe hari imanza ebyiri zidashobora kubangikanywa ndetse zidashobora kurangirizwa rimwe kandi zikaba zidashobora kujuririrwa. Iyo bigaragaye ko koko izo manza zivuguruzanya, Urukiko Rusesa Imanza rutesha agaciro rumwe muri zo, cyangwa zombi. Akomeza avuga ko aho ubu buryo butandukaniye n’ubwavuzwe haruguru, ari uko bwo buba bugamije gushakisha icyafasha mu kuvanaho ukubangikana kw’ibyemezo bibiri bidashobora kurangirizwa rimwe mu rwego rwo kurengera ko imanza zaciwe burundu zubahirizwa. Ubu buryo ntibushingira ku kuba Urukiko rwarirengangije ko hari urubanza rwabaye ndakuka […] (Il faut supposer l’existence de deux décisions inconciliables qui ne peuvent être exécutées cumulativement rendues en premier ressort mais pour
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lesquelles aucun recours ordinaire n’est plus possible […] Le pourvoi en cassation doit alors ȇtre dirigé contre les deux décisions, … et lorsque la contrariété est constatée, la Cour de cassation annule l’une des décisions ou les deux. Cette hypothèse se distingue de la précédente en ce qu’elle ne suppose pas que l’autorité de la chose jugée ait été vainement invoquée devant le jugée du fond. Elle déroge au droit commun du pourvoi, puisque ce recours peut ȇtre formé mȇme contre une décision rendue en premier ressort, ou déjà frappée d’un pourvoi en cassation précédemment rejeté. Ces dérogations sont fondées sur la nécessité de supprimer la coexistence de deux décisions dont l’exécution simultanée est impossible et, indirectement, de sauvegarder l’autorité de la chose jugée). [28] Ibisobanuro bitangwa n’abahanga mu mategeko bigaragaza ibintu by’ingenzi bikurikira: - Haba ukuvuguruzanya kw’imanza iyo hari ibyemezo bitandukanye by’inkiko bitagishoboye kujuririrwa kandi bikaba bidashobora kurangizwa icyarimwe; - Ibyo byemezo biramutse bigumyeho, byagira ingaruka z’uko ababuranyi batabona ubutabera bakeneye (déni de justice); - Kugira ngo izo mpungenge ziveho, inkiko zaregewe ko hari imanza zivuguruzanya zigomba gusuzuma urubanza cyangwa imanza zikwiye kuvaho kugira ngo hubahirizwe uburenganzira bw’ababuranyi; - Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari urundi rubanza rwaciwe mbere ku mpamvu zimwe, ku
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kiburanwa kimwe, hagati y’ababuranyi, bamwe kandi rwabaye ndakuka (autorité de la chose jugée), hakurwaho urubanza rwa kabiri hakagumaho urwa mbere rwabaye ndakuka; - Iyo ukuvuguruzanya gushingiye ku kuba hari imanza ebyiri zidashobora kubangikanywa (deux décisions inconciliables) kandi zidashobora kurangirizwa rimwe, hateshwa agaciro rumwe muri izo manza cyangwa zombi. [29] Ku bijyanye n’uru rubanza, imwe mu mpamvu Rutayisire Jean de Dieu ashingiraho atanga ikirego nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru, ni uko anenga urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwemejwe n’urubanza Nº RCAA 0010/14/CS, kuba rwaraciye urubanza rwirengagije ko hari urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe mbere kandi rwabaye ndakuka. [30] Urukiko rurasanga iyo mpamvu yarasuzumwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza rubanziriza urundi Nº RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe ku wa 10/06/2016, ariko ruvuga ko urubanza rwaburanishijwe mu bujurire bwa kabiri bw’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rutandukanye n’urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB. [31] Uru Rukiko rurasanga rutagaruka ku cyemezo cyafashwe mu rubanza rubanziriza urundi rumaze kuvugwa, kuko icyo rusabwa ubu mu rubanza rwaregewe, ari ugusuzuma gusa ikibazo cy’ukuvuguruzanya kuri hagati y’imanza ebyiri zafashe ibyemezo bitandukanye. [32] Ku bijyanye n’indi mpamvu Rutayisire Jean de Dieu ashingiraho y’uko hari imanza zivuguruzanya zikaba
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zidashobora kurangirizwa rimwe, nk’uko byibukijwe haruguru, biturutse ku kirego cyatanzwe mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo na Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella, bahagarariwe na Se Kayigana Jean Baptiste, urwo Rukiko rwaciye urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB ku wa 29/02/2008, rwemeza ko imitungo yari iya nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph igabanywa Rutayisire Jean de Dieu na Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella mu buryo bwavuzwe haruguru mu gika cya 3. [33] Nanone nk’uko byibukijwe haruguru, Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice bamaze kwemezwa ko ari bene Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène, batanze ikirego mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, basaba kubona uruhare rwa Se ku mutungo wa nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph, maze mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwemeza ko imitungo yari iya nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph igabanywa Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella na Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice mu buryo bwasobanuwe haruguru mu gika cya 5. [34] Urukiko rurasanga urubanza Nº RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwarambuye Rutayisire Jean de Dieu inzu irimo butike 3, ikibanza n’ishyamba bifatanye n’izo butike yari yarahawe mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB, bihabwa Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice; yanambuwe ikibanza kiri i Nyamirambo mu Gatare n’igipande cy’isambu iri i Bugesera bihabwa Kayigana Isaro Darlène na Umubyeyi Gabriella. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu ariko nawe yahawe itongo rya nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph riri ku Kivugiza, rikaba mbere ryari ryarahawe Kayigana Isaro Darlène na Umubyeyi Gabriella.
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Aba nabo bambuwe inzu ikodeshwa iri i Nyamirambo n’isambu iri i Zivu bihabwa Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice. Iki cyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge cyanashimangiwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza n° RCAA 0010/14/CS. [35] Hakurikijwe ibimaze kuvugwa haruguru, binahujwe n’ibisobanuro bitangwa n’abahanga mu mategeko nk’uko nabyo byagaragajwe haruguru, biraboneka ko ku mitungo imwe, ibyemejwe mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ku wa 29/02/2008 bitandukanye n’ibyemejwe mu rubanza n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa ku wa 17/03/2017, izo manza rero zikaba zivuguruzanya ku bijyanye n’izungura ry’umutungo wasizwe na nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph, zikaba zidashobora kurangirizwa icyarimwe kandi zombi zarabaye itegeko. ii Kumenya niba urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rugomba kuvanwaho [36] Me Niyondora Nsengiyumva na Me Nkeza Sempundu Clément bavuga ko mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice bahawe imitungo igizwe n’inzu irimo butike eshatu (3) hamwe n’ikibanza gifatanye nazo, icyo cyemezo kiza no gushimangirwa n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS nyamara hirengagijwe ko iyo mitungo yeguriwe Rutayisire Jean de Dieu mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwabaye itegeko.
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[37] Basaba ko urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rukwiye kuvanwaho, hakagumaho urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo kuko nta cyemezo cy’urukiko cyaruhinduye mu buryo buteganywa n’amategeko. [38] Me Seburikoko Jeremie avuga ko urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rudakwiye kuvaho kuko mu rubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku rupapuro rwa 13 muri Rwemeje, urwo Rukiko rwemeje ko Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwari rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ikibazo cy’abo ahagarariye, ko rutakongera gusuzuma icyo kibazo. [39] Me MUNYANEZA Rémy na Me Habineza G. Gilbert bahagarariye Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella, bavuga ko ibyo Rutayisire Jean de Dieu asaba byo kuvanaho urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE bikwiye guhabwa ishingiro kuko Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwafashe icyemezo ku mitungo yari yaramaze gufatwaho icyemezo mu rubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwabaye itegeko cyane cyane ko iyo habonetse urubanza ruvuguruza urwaciwe mbere, uruciwe bwa kabiri rukurwaho. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [40] Nyuma yo kubona ko urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe ku wa 29/02/2008 n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017 zivuguruzanya kandi
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zikaba zidashobora kurangirizwa icyarimwe, ni ngombwa ko Urukiko rugaragaza niba hari impamvu ituma urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyamirambo rwemejwe n’urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rukwiye kuvaho nk’uko bisabwa na Rutayisire Jean de Dieu watanze ikirego. [41] Impamvu inkiko zagiye zishingiraho zikuraho rumwe mu manza zivuguruzanya, zigenda zitandukana. Muri rusange zakuyeho urubanza rwaciwe hirengangijwe amategeko cyangwa hadakurikijwe umurongo wari usanzwe uriho,
zigumishaho urubanza Urukiko rwasanze
rutanga ubutabera6. [42] Ku bijyanye n’uru rubanza, nk’uko byibukijwe haruguru, Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo rwaciye urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB, rugena uko umutungo wa nyakwigendera Kahabaye Joseph ugomba kuzungurwa hagati ya Rutaganda Jean de Dieu na Kayigana Darlène Isaro na Umubyeyi Gabriella. Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice batambamiye urwo rubanza mu Rukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ikirego cyabo nticyakirwa, aho gukoresha izindi nzira ziteganywa n’amategeko ngo urwo rubanza rusubirwemo, batanga ikirego gishya mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge. [43] Urwo Rukiko rwaciye urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, ntirwita ku kuba hari urundi rubanza
6 France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre Sociale, 14 décembre 2022 N° 21- 15.601; France, Cour de cassation, civile, Chambre civile 3, 6 février 2020, 18-24.946, France; France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre civile 2, du 22 janvier 2004, 01-11.665, n° de pourvoi: 01-11.665; Belgique, Cour de cassation, 07 décembre 2011, P.11.1861.F.
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rwabaye ndakuka rwafashe icyemezo ku izungura ry’umutungo wa Kahabaye Joseph kandi rwari ruruzi nk’uko biboneka muri kopi y’urubanza, rugabanya bundi bushya uwo mutungo. Urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwarakomeje kugeza mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga, aho urwo Rukiko rwahamishijeho imikirize y’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge. Ingaruka z’ayo makosa yakozwe mu rubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE ni uko ubu hariho imanza ebyiri zivuguruzanya nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru, bikaba bidashoboka ko zombi zarangirizwa rimwe. [44] Nyuma y’ibimaze gusobanurwa, Urukiko rurasanga urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 07/09/2012 nk’uko rwemejwe n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017 rugomba kuvaho kubera amakosa yarukozwemo, byumvikanisha ko n’urubanza rufite N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017 rukemeza ko urubanza urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE ruhamyeho, narwo ruvuyeho. 3) Kumenya ishingiro ry’indishyi zisabwa muri uru rubanza. [45] Me Niyondora Nsengiyumva avuga ko Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice ari bo bateje ikibazo ubwo batangizaga urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE kugeza mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga kandi bazi ko urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rugifite agaciro karwo, ari yo mpamvu asabira Rutayisire Jean de Dieu aburanira 3.000.000 Frw y’indishyi z’akababaro na 2.000.000 Frw y’ikurikirana rubanza n’igihembo cy’Avoka. [46] Me Seburikoko Jeremie avuga ko Rutayisire Jean de Dieu amaze imyaka isaga 10 abasiragiza mu nkiko anabyaza
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umusaruro imitungo bahawe n'Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, ko ari we ugomba guha Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice 1.000.000 Frw y’indishyi z'akababaro na 3.000.000 Frw y'igihembo cy'Avoka. [47] Me Munyaneza Rémy na Me Habineza G. Gilbert, bahahagarariye Umubyeyi Gabriella na Kayigana Darlène Isaro, bavuga ko abo baburanira ntacyo bavuga kuri iki kibazo cy’indishyi kuko Rutayisire Jean de Dieu yavuze ko indishyi asaba zatangwa na Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice kubera ko ari bo ba nyirabayazana b’uru rubanza. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [48] Ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko N⁰ 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ko ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza ari ikirego gishamikira ku kirego cy’iremezo kigamije kwishyuza ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza. [49] Urukiko rurasanga indishyi zisabwa na Me Seburikoko Jeremie mu izina ry’abo aburanira nta shingiro zifite kubera ko ntacyo batsindiye. Naho ku birebana n’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cy’Avoka asabwa na Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, Urukiko rurasanga akwiye kuyahabwa kubera ko ariwe utsinze urubanza. Ariko kubera ko 2.000.000 Frw asaba ari menshi kandi akaba atayatangira ibimenyetso, mu bushishozi bw’Urukiko agenewe 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza na 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka. Ku bijyanye n’indishyi z’akababaro asaba, Urukiko rurasanga ntazo yagenerwa kuko adasobanura ishingiro ryazo.
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III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [50] Rwemeje ko urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ku wa 29/02/2008 ruvuguruzanya n’urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge ku wa 07/09/2012 rukemezwa n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 17/03/2017. [51] Rwemeje ko urubanza N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE n’urubanza N° RCAA 0010/14/CS, zikuweho; [52] Rutegetse ko urubanza N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyamirambo ku wa 29/02/2008, rugumana agaciro karwo; [53] Rutegetse Twagirayezu Béatha na Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice guha Rutayisire Jean de Dieu 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza na 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’Avoka; yose hamwe akaba 800.000 Frw.
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BANKI NKURU Y'U RWANDA (BNR) v NGEZAHOGUHORA N’UNDI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA - RS/INJUST/RC 00002/2022/SC (Nteziryayo, P.J., Nyirinkwaya na Cyanzayire, J.) 22 Nyakanga 2022] Amategeko agenga imanza z’imbonezamubano – Kudahungabanywa mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe – Umugurisha yishingira ko uwo agurishije atagira ikimuhungabanya mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe kandi agomba kwishyura cyangwa agasaba ko umuguzi yishyurwa n’umuvutsa ibyo yaguze. Niyo mu gihe cy’igurisha haba ntacyateganijwe ku bwishingire, ugurisha ategetswe kwishingira kuba uwaguze yavutswa uburenganzira ku mutungo yaguze wose cyangwa igice cyawo, cyangwa yakwishyuzwa imyenda kuri wo atamenyeshejwe mu gihe cy’igurisha biturutse ku burenganzira bw’undi. Incamake y’ikibazo: Ngezahoguhora yagurishijwe na Rekeraho ikibanza ariko mu gihe yari atangiye kucyubaka, abona ibaruwa y’Ubuyobozi imuhagarika kugeza haciwe urubanza No RC 157/09/TGI/NYGE, Banki Nkuru y’u Rwanda (BNR) yaburanagamo na Birikunzira asaba gusubizwa icyo kibanza yavugaga ko yaguze nayo ubwo yari umukozi wayo ariko imaze kumwirukana, ikigurisha bwa kabiri Rekeraho nawe wari umukozi wayo. Ngezahoguhora yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge arega Ingabire, umugore wa Rekeraho wapfuye, BNR igobokeshwa mu rubanza, arusaba gusesa amasezerano y’ubugure BNR yagiranye na Rekeraho kuko yamugurishije ikibanza izi neza ko atari icyayo, kubera ko urubanza No RCAA 0031/14/CS rwemeje ko ari icya Birikunzira. 167
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Urukiko rwasanze ikirego giftie ishingiro ndetse rusanga inkiko ntacyo zavuze ku bijyanye n’ugomba gusubiza Ngezahoguhora agaciro k’ikibanza yaguze maze rutegeka Ingabire kumusubiza ikiguzi cyaguzwe ikibanza naho BNR yatanze ikibanza kabiri, ruyitegeka kumusubiza ikinyuranyo gisigaye hagendewe ku gaciro kose k’ikibanza kagenwe n’umuhanga ndetse n’indishyi zinyuranye. Ingabire yajuririye Urukiko Rukuru avuga ko ari BNR igomba kubazwa agaciro kose, nayo ijurira isaba Urukiko gusuzuma niba yari ikwiye gutegekwa kwishyura no gutanga indishyi, kandi nta masezerano yagiranye n’urega. Urukiko rwemeje ko BNR ifatwa nk’umugurisha wa mbere, bikaba biyiha inshingano yo kwishingira kudahungabanywa k’umutungo Rekeraho yaguze, ruyitegeka gusubiza agaciro k’ikibanza kose. BNR ntiyishimiye iyo mikirize maze isaba ko urubanza rwasubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane. Urubanza rwaje kuburanishwa n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rusuzuma ikibazo cyo kumenya ukwiye gusubiza Ngezahoguhora agaciro k’ikibanza yagurishijwe na Rekeraho ndetse n’indishyi zasabwagwa n’ababuranyi. BNR ivuga ko Urukiko Rukuru rwakoze amakosa ruyitegeka kwishyura Ngezahoguhora ikiguzi cyose cy’ikibanza, nta tegeko, amasezerano cyangwa irindi kosa rushingiyeho, nyamara rusonera umuryango wa Rekeraho amafaranga wakiriye, ibyo akaba asanga binyuranije n’ amategeko kuko ingaruka z’amasezerano y’ubugure yasheshwe zagombye kugarukira gusa ku bayagiranye. Ngezahoguhora we avuga ko ibivugwa na BNR ko amasezerano yabaye hagati ye na Rekeraho atayireba nta shingiro bifite kuko ikibazo kidakomoka kuri ayo masezerano, ahubwo icyo kibanza Rekeraho nawe yari yarakiguze na BNR, byumvikana ko icyo gihe BNR yari umugurisha naho Rekeraho akaba umuguzi, kandi
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ko n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwemeje ko BNR yakigurishije atari icyayo ahubwo ari icya Birikunzira bityo ikaba igomba kwirengera ingaruka zikomoka ku masezerano y’ubugure yagiranye na Rekeraho. Ingabire (umugore wa Rekeraho) we avuga ko ibivugwa na BNR y’uko nta masezerano y’ubugure bw’ikibanza yabaye hagati yayo na Rekeraho nta shingiro bifite kubera ko amasezerano BNR yakoranye n’Akarere ka Kicukiro yari ayo kugura ibibanza, ibyo bikaba bigaragarira mu kuba buri mukozi wese wajyaga guhabwa ikibanza yarasabwaga gusubiza BNR amafaranga 1.200.000, utayatanze ntagihabwe. Incamake y’icyemezo: Umugurisha yishingira ko uwo agurishije atagira ikimuhungabanya mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe kandi agomba kwishyura cyangwa agasaba ko umuguzi yishyurwa n’umuvutsa ibyo yaguze bityo BNR igomba kuryozwa igihombo yateje Rekeraho ku bw’amakosa yakoze yo guha ikibanza kimwe abakozi babiri, byatumye cyamburwa Ngezahoguhora wari wakiguze hashingiwe ku ihame ryo kuryoza nyir’ugukora ikosa ryagize uwo ryangiriza yishyura uwarikorewe indishyi. Ikirego cyatanzwe na BNR isaba gusubirishamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane urubanza N° RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG gifite ishingiro; Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018, ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 111.
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Imanza zifashishijwe: RCAA 00031/2016/SC; Nishimwe n’undi v Mugenga, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 25/09/2019. RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2020/SC Twagirayezu Alice n’abandi v Twagirayezu Albert n’undi rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 10/12/2021. RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/SC; Ngizweninshuti v Muhima, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 21/02/2020. RS/INJUST/RC 00005/2021/SC; RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd v Dusabimana, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 21/01/2022. Inyandiko z’abahanga: Le Tourneau, Philippe & Cadiet, Loïc, Droit de la responsabilité. (1998). Page 715 – 716. Corbière, P. H. (1867). Le droit privé administratif et public dans ses rapports avec la conscience et le culte catholique. Martin-Beaupré., p. 493-496. Serge BRAUDO et Alexis BAUMANN, Dictionnaire Juridique, 1996-2019, available on https://www.dictionnaire- juridique.com › definition › do..., accessed on 14/07/2022. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Uru rubanza rukomoka ku bugure bwo ku wa 30/03/2010 bw’ikibanza kibaruye kuri No10270, gifite ubuso bwa 750 m2, giherereye mu Kagari ka Bwerankori, Umurenge wa Kigarama, Akarere ka Kicukiro, Umujyi wa Kigali, bwabaye hagati ya Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse na Rekeraho Aloys, hanakorwa
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ihererekanyamutungo, maze icyo kibanza cyandikwa kuri Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse. [2] Mu gihe Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yari atangiye kubaka icyo kibanza, yabonye ibaruwa y’Ubuyobozi imuhagarika gukomeza imirimo y’ubwubatsi kugeza haciwe urubanza No RC 157/09/TGI/NYGE, Banki Nkuru y’u Rwanda (BNR) yaburanagamo na Birikunzira Jean Baptiste asaba gusubizwa ikibanza yavugaga ko yaguze nayo ubwo yari umukozi wayo, ngo ikakigurisha bwa kabiri Rekeraho Aloys nawe wari umukozi wayo. [3] Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yandikiye Akarere ka Kicukiro, asaba kurenganurwa, agakomeza imirimo ye yo kubaka ikibanza yaguze, kuko yakiguze mu buryo bukurikije amategeko ndetse akaba afite n’ibyangombwa bisabwa, ariko ntiyanyurwa n’igisubizo yahawe, bituma aregera Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, arega Ingabire Jacqueline, umugore wa Rekeraho Aloys witabye Imana, BNR igobokeshwa mu rubanza. Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yasabaga ko amasezerano y’ubugure yagiranye na Rekeraho Aloys aseswa bitewe n’uko yamugurishije ikibanza azi neza ko atari icye, ikirego cye agishingira ku cyemezo cyafashwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza No RCAA 0031/14/CS aho rwemeje ko ari icya Birikunzira Jean Baptiste. [4] Ingabire Jacqueline yireguye avuga ko umugabo we Rekeraho Aloys yari yarahawe ikibanza na BNR nk’umukozi wayo, nyuma y’uko cyambuwe uwitwa Birikunzira Jean Baptiste nawe wari umukozi wa BNR wari wagihawe mbere, ariko akaza kwirukanwa. Avuga ko icyo kibanza umugabo we amaze kugihabwa yakiyandikishijeho, nyuma akaza kukigurisha Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse.
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[5] BNR yatanze inzitizi yo kutakira ikirego ivuga ko itagombaga kuregwa mu gihe ikiburanwa cyamaze gufatwaho icyemezo n’inkiko ndetse imanza zaramaze kuba itegeko; isaba ariko ko Urukiko rubibonye ukundi ikirego kikakirwa, rutaha ishingiro ikirego cya Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse kuko itaryozwa ibirebana n’amasezerano yabaye hagati ye na Rekeraho Aloys. [6] Ku wa 30/04/2019, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwaciye urubanza No RC 00047/2018/TGI/NYGE, rusanga inkiko zarafashe icyemezo gusa ku bijyanye n’amasezerano yabaye hagati ya Rekeraho Aloys na Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, ariko ntizagira icyo zivuga ku bijyanye n’ugomba gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse agaciro k’ikibanza yaguze. Urukiko rwahaye ishingiro bimwe mu byo Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yaregeye maze rutegeka Ingabire Jacqueline kumusubiza 6.700.000 Frw umugabo we Rekeraho Aloys yakiriye ubwo bagiranaga amasezerano y’ubugure bw’ubutaka. Urukiko rwasanze BNR yarakoze ikosa ryo gutanga ikibanza kabiri, ibi bikaba intandaro y’ibibazo byose, maze ruyitegeka gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse ikinyuranyo gisigaye kingana na 15.800.000 Frw ku gaciro kose k’ikibanza kagenwe n’umuhanga kangana na 22.500.00 Frw, runayitegeka kumuha indishyi zingana na 300.000 Frw, igihembo cy’Avoka n’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza bingana na 1.100.000. [7] Ingabire Jacqueline yajuririye Urukiko Rukuru avuga ko adakwiye gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse amafaranga baguze ikibanza, ahubwo ko ari BNR igomba kubazwa agaciro kose. Banki Nkuru y’u Rwanda nayo yajuriye isaba Urukiko gusuzuma inzitizi yo kutakira ikirego, yatanze mu rubanza rujuririrwa, no gusuzuma niba yari ikwiye gutegekwa kwishyura Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse 15.800.000 Frw, kandi nta
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masezerano bafitanye, no gusuzuma niba yaragombaga gutegekwa gutanga indishyi. [8] Mu rubanza N° RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG - RCA 00251/2019/HC/KIG rwaciwe ku wa 27/08/2020, Urukiko Rukuru rwasanze BNR ifatwa nk’umugurisha wa mbere, ikaba yari ifite inshingano yo kwishingira Rekeraho Aloys kudahungabanywa k’umutungo yaguze, byanagize ingaruka kuri Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse baguze, ruyitegeka gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse agaciro k’ikibanza kiburanwa kangana na 22.500.000 Frw. [9] BNR ntiyishimiye imikirize y’urubanza maze yandikira yandikira Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire isaba ko urubanza No RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG- RCA 00251/2019/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 27/08/2020 rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane. Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire amaze gusuzuma ubusabe bwayo, yandikiye Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga asaba ko urwo rubanza rwasubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane. Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, amaze gusuzuma raporo yarukozweho, yarwohereje mu bwanditsi bw’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga kugirango ruzaburanishwe, ruhabwa N° RS/INJUST/RC 00002/2022/SC. [10] Iburanisha mu ruhame ryabaye ku wa 15/06/2022, ababuranyi bose bitabye, BNR ihagarariwe na Me Murego Jean Léonard, Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yunganiwe na Me Nsabayezu Evariste naho Ingabire Jacqueline yunganiwe na Me Habakurama François Xavier. [11] Urukiko rwasuzumye ibibazo by’ingenzi bibiri bigizwe no kumenya ukwiye gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse
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agaciro k’ikibanza yaguze na Rekeraho Aloys no kumenya niba indishyi ababuranyi basaba bakwiye kuzihabwa. II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURA RYABYO i. Kumenya ukwiye gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse agaciro k’ikibanza yari yaguze na Rekeraho Aloys [12] Me Murego Jean Léonard uhagarariye BNR avuga ko Urukiko Rukuru rwakoze amakosa ruyitegeka kwishyura Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse ikiguzi cya 22.500.000 Frw, nta tegeko, amasezerano cyangwa irindi kosa rushingiyeho, nyamara rusonera umuryango wa Rekeraho Aloys amafaranga 6.700.000 wakiriye, ibyo akaba asanga binyuranije n’ ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 280 na 310 y'Igitabo cya gatatu cy'urwunge rw'amategeko mbonezamubano (CCLIII)1 kuko ingaruka z’amasezerano y’ubugure yasheshwe zagombye kugarukira gusa ku bayagiranye aribo Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse n’umuryango wa Rekeraho Aloys uhagarariwe na Ingabire Jacqueline maze agategekwa gusubiza ikiguzi cyose cy’ikibanza. [13] Yakomeje asobanura ko nta tegeko cyangwa amasezerano biteganya ubufatanye bw'uburyozwe bw'inshingano ubwo aribwo bwose hagati ya BNR n’umuryango wa Rekeraho Aloys kuri Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse (Pluralité des sujets d'obligations ou obligations solidaires) kuko amasezerano BNR yagiranye n’Akarere ka Kicukiro atari ay’ubugure nk’uko abo baburana babiburanisha, ko ahubwo yari ayo gufasha abakozi bayo kubona ibibanza. Ku byerekeye
1 Code Civil, Livre III
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amafaranga 1.200.000 yatangwaga na buri mukozi, uburanira BNR yavuze ko yari inguzanyo igenewe gutunganya ibyo bibanza, bityo ko Urukiko Rukuru rutagombaga gushingira ku ngingo ya 310 y'Igitabo cya gatatu cy'urwunge rw'amategeko mbonezamubano (CCLIII) irebana n’ inshingano z’uwagurishije n’umuguzi. [14] Yavuze kandi ko ibyo BNR yakoze byose Rekeraho Aloys yabaga abizi nk'uko biri mu nzandiko BNR yagiye yandika nk’urwo ku wa 21/04/2008, aho BNR yasabaga ko ikibanza kiva kuri Birikunzira Jean Baptiste kikajya kuri Rekeraho Aloys, n’imanza zaburanywe mbere hagati ya Birikunzira Jean Baptiste na Nyiransengiyumva, Rekeraho Aloys nawe akaba yarabayemo umuburanyi kandi azi neza ko ibyo aburana ari ukuri. [15] Uburanira BNR yashoje kuri iyi ngingo asaba Urukiko gushingira ku ngingo ya 33 na 63 y'Igitabo cya gatatu cy'urwunge rw'amategeko mbonezamubano (CCLIII) zakurikizwaga igihe amasezerano yakorwaga n’ingingo ya 64 na 113 z’Itegeko N° 45/2011 ryo ku wa 25/11/2011 rigenga amasezerano, rukemeza ko amasezerano y’ubugure bw’ikibanza yakozwe ku wa 30/03/2010, BNR ntaho ihuriye nayo kuko areba abayagiranye gusa, banakoranye n’ihinduranyamutungo. Yongeyeho ko, kubera ko amasezerano avugwa yamaze guteshwa agaciro nk’uko byemejwe mu rubanza N° RCA 0412/10/HC/KIG rwaciwe ku wa 20/09/2013, hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 276, 256, 303, 306, 307 na 310 z'Igitabo cya gatatu cy'urwunge rw'amategeko mbonezamubano (CCLIII), Urukiko rwategeka ko ibintu bisubira uko byari bimeze mbere y’uko amasezerano abaho (pristin état), maze Ingabire Jacqueline agasubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse ikiguzi cy’ikibanza.
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[16] Mu myanzuro yatanzwe na Me Nsabayezu Evariste wunganira Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse no mu iburanisha, avuga ko ibivugwa na BNR ko amasezerano yabaye hagati ye na Rekeraho Aloys atayireba nta shingiro bifite kuko ikibazo kidakomoka kuri ayo masezerano, ahubwo icyo kibanza Rekeraho Aloys nawe yari yarakiguze na BNR, byumvikana ko icyo gihe BNR yari umugurisha naho Rekeraho Aloys akaba umuguzi, uretse ko mu rubanza N° RCAA 0031/14/CS, ku rupapuro rwa 10, mu gika cya [28], Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwemeje ko BNR yakigurishije atari icyayo ahubwo ari icya Birikunzira Jean Baptiste. [17] Asobanura ko ibyo byumvikanisha ko BNR igomba kwirengera ingaruka zikomoka ku masezerano y’ubugure yagiranye na Rekeraho Aloys ubwo baguraga ikibanza No 10270 bikaza kugaragara ko atari icyayo, kuko BNR yagombaga kwishingira Rekeraho Aloys kudahungabanywa mu mutungo baguze nk’uko byateganywaga n’ingingo ya 302 y'Igitabo cya gatatu cy'urwunge rw'amategeko mbonezamubano (CCLIII), kwishingira inenge zacyo zihishe n’inenge nsesamasezerano hakurikije ibyateganywaga n’ingigo ya 310 y’icyo Gitabo. Asaba Urukiko gushingira ku ngingo ya 113 na 303 z’icyo Gitabo rukemeza ko Urukiko Rukuru rutarenganyije BNR mu kuyitegeka kwirengera ingaruka zikomoka ku masezerano yabaye hagati ya Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse na Rekeraho Aloys. [18] Ku birebana n’amafaranga angana na 1.200.000 BNR yasabaga abakozi mbere yo guhabwa ikibanza, Me Nsabayezu Evariste avuga ko ayo mafaranga yagaragaye nk’ikiguzi, kandi ko kuba BNR yaratsinzwe n’urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwatesheje agaciro amasezerano y’ubugure kuri icyo kibanza, bitabuza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse gukurikirana
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uburenganzira bwe yambuwe mu nkiko bwo gusubizwa agaciro k’ikibanza yaguze, ariko hashingiwe ku kuba guhera 2010 kugeza ubu, agaciro k’ubutaka karazamutse, Urukiko rwategeka kwishyura 60.000.000Frw aho kwishyura 22.500.000Frw yategetswe n’Urukiko Rukuru. [19] Me Habakurama François Xavier wunganira Ingabire Jacqueline avuga ko ibivugwa na BNR y’uko nta masezerano y’ubugure bw’ikibanza yabaye hagati yayo na Rekeraho Aloys nta shingiro bifite kubera ko amasezerano BNR yakoranye n’Akarere ka Kicukiro yari ayo kugura ibibanza, ibyo bikaba bigaragarira mu kuba buri mukozi wese wajyaga guhabwa ikibanza yarasabwaga gusubiza BNR amafaranga 1.200.000, utayatanze ntagihabwe. [20] Me Habakurama François Xavier asobanura ko BNR yiyemerera ko Rekeraho Aloys ari umwe mu bakozi bayo bahawe ikibanza ndetse anahabwa inguzanyo y’amafaranga 1.200.000, arangiza kuyishyura ku wa 19/2/2010, anahabwa Attestation de non créance. Ku bw’ibyo, akaba asanga kuba Rekeraho Aloys yaragurishije icyo kibanza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse nta kosa yakoze kuko yari afite uburenganzira busesuye ku mutungo yaguze, na BNR ikaba yari ifite inshingano yo kumurinda guhungabanywa mu mutungo we. Yakomeje asobanura ko ubwo burenganzira bunagaragarira mu kuba Rekeraho Aloys agurisha icyo kibanza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, yari afite ibyangombwa byose birimo fiche cadastrale, autorisation de bâtir, n’icyangombwa cy’ikibanza; ibyo bikanashimangirwa no kuba mu rubanza N° RCA 0031/14/CS, haburana Birikunzira Jean Baptiste, Nyiransengiyumva na BNR, hagobokeshwamo Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse na Rekeraho Aloys, mu gika cyarwo cya 35, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwaremeje ko BNR ariyo yakoze
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amakosa yo guha abakozi bayo babiri ikibanza kimwe, kandi ikaba itarasabye ko urwo rubanza ruvaho. [21] Ikindi ni uko, ashingiye ku kuba Urukiko rwaremeje ko BNR iryozwa ingaruka zikomoka ku rubanza rwaburanywe hagati ya Birikunzira Jean Baptiste na Nyiransengiyumva, Me Habakurama François Xavier avuga ko BNR igomba no kwirengera ingaruka zikomoka ku masezerano ya Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse na Rekeraho Aloys kuko Birikunzira Jean Baptiste na Rekeraho Aloys bose bari abakozi bayo, bityo ko igomba gukemura impaka zaturutse ku byakozwe na Rekeraho Aloys nk’uko yakemuye impaka zaturutse ku byakozwe na Birikunzira Jean Baptiste. [22] Akomeza avuga kandi ko n’iyo inkiko ziba zaravuze ko Rekeraho Aloys yishyura Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, ingingo ya 258 y'Igitabo cya gatatu cy'urwunge rw'amategeko mbonezamubano (CCLIII) n’ingingo ya 482 y'Itegeko no 45/2011 ryo ku wa 25//11/2011 rigenga amasezerano zimuhesha uburenganzira bwo kwishyuza BNR nka nyirabayazana wo kumushyira mu bibazo. [23] Asoza kuri iyi ngingo avuga ko mu gihe Urukiko rwategeka umuryango wa Rekeraho Aloys gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse amafaranga wakiriye angana na 6.700.000, rwanategeka BNR gusubiza Ingabire Jacqueline amafaranga 15.000.000 y’agaciro kagezweho kuri ubwo butaka
2 Ingingo ya 48 y'Itegeko No 45/2011 ryo ku wa 25//11/2011 rigenga amasezerano iteganya ko uruhande rumwe rwirengera ingaruka zikomoka ku kwibeshya mu masezerano iyo ruzi neza ko igihe amasezerano yakorwaga rutari rufite ubumenyi buhagije ku byabaye birebana n’uko kwibeshya ariko rwarafashe ubwo bumenyi bwarwo nk’aho buhagije.
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muri iyi myaka 16 yose ishize baguze ikibanza, kuko ubutaka buzamuka mu biciro buri mwaka, hanyuma amafaranga yasubizwa Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse agakurwa muyo BNR yasubije Rekeraho Aloys. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [24] Ukurikije imyanzuro n’imiburanire y’uhagarire BNR muri uru rubanza, inenge yagaragajwe nk’impamvu yatumye urubanza N° RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG rusabirwa gusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, ni ukuba Urukiko Rukuru rwaremeje ko BNR ariyo igomba gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse amafaranga y’ikiguzi cy’ikibanza yaguze na Rekeraho Aloys, rugasonera umuryango wa Rekeraho Aloys amafaranga 6.700.000 wakiriye. Abaregwa bo bavuga ko BNR ariyo igomba kuryozwa amakosa yakoze yo kugurisha ikibanza kimwe abakozi bayo babiri, maze igasubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse agaciro k’icyo kibanza, kabazwe hakurikijwe igiciro kigezeho ubu. [25] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaza ko ku wa 02 Werurwe 2006 habaye amasezerano hagati y’Akarere ka Kicukiro na Banki Nkuru y’u Rwanda, kayemerera kuyiha ibibanza 92 byo mu rwego rwa moyen standing, mu murenge wa Kigarama kugira ngo yubakiremo bamwe mu bakozi bayo amazu yubakishijwe “matériaux semi – durables”. Mu ngingo ya 2 y’ayo masezerano, Akarere kiyemeje guhanga imihanda no kwishyura imitungo itimukanwa y’abaturage basanzwe bahatuye, naho mu ngingo ya 3, BNR yiyemeza gutanga amafaranga yo gutunganya ibyo bibanza ahwanye na 1.200.000 kuri buri kibanza. [26] Urukiko rusanga nk’uko byasobanuwe mu rubanza rusabirwa gusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, nyuma yo
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guhabwa ibibanza n’Akarere ka Kicukiro, BNR yarahaye Rekeraho Aloys ikibanza kibaruye kuri No 10270, kivugwa mu gika cya mbere cy’uru rubanza, nawe atanga amafaranga 1.200.000 ndetse BNR inamuha icyemezo kigaragaza ko nta mwenda ayibereyemo (attestation de non créance), inasaba Akarere ka Kicukiro ku wa 21/04/2008 kuvana icyo kibanza kuri Birikunzira Jean Baptiste kikandikwa kuri Rekeraho Aloys, umukozi wayo. Rekeraho Aloys yaje kukigurisha Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse ku wa 30/03/2010. [27] Urukiko rusanga impamvu nyamukuru yatumye Urukiko Rukuru rwemeza ko BNR ariyo igomba gusubiza amafaranga y’ikiguzi cy’ikibanza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yaguze na Rekeraho Aloys, ari ukuba binyuze mu masezerano yagiranye n’Akarere, yaragurishije Rekeraho Aloys ikibanza yari yaramaze kugurisha Birikunzira Jean Baptiste. Ibyo rukaba rwarabishingiye ku kuba Rekeraho Aloys yarishyuye BNR amafaranga 1.200.000 kugira ngo ahabwe icyo kibanza. Ababuranira Ngenzahoguhora Ildephone na Ingabire Jacqueline nabo bashingira kuri ayo mafaranga bavuga ko ari ikiguzi cyatanzwe, basaba ko BNR igomba kwishingira umutungo yagurishije Rekeraho Aloys wambuwe Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse. [28] Ku birebana n’amafaranga yatangwaga na buri mukozi wa BNR uhawe ikibanza, Urukiko rusanga hagendewe ku ngingo ya 3 y’amasezerano yakozwe hagati y’Akarere na BNR, nta hagaragara ko ayo mafaranga yari ikiguzi cy’ikibanza umukozi ahawe nk’uko ababuranira Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse na Ingabire Jacqueline babiburanisha, ahubwo impande zombi zemeranijwe ko ari amafaranga yo gutunganya ibyo bibanza nk’uko byasobanuwe mu gika cya 25 cy’uru rubanza. Kuba rero
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BNR yarishyuriye rimwe amafaranga 110.400.000 maze nyuma ikishyuza buri mukozi uhawe ikibanza amafaranga 1.200.000, ntibivanaho ko ayo mafaranga yari agenewe gutunganya ibibanza nk’uko uburanira BNR yabisobanuye. Bityo, ibivugwa ko ari ikiguzi nta shingiro bifite. Ibyo kandi bikanumvikanisha ko ihame ryo kudahungabaywa mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe ridashobora gukurikizwa ku bireba BNR kuko nta masezerano y’ubugure yabayeho yaba hagati yayo n’Akarere cyangwa na Rekeraho Aloys. [29] Ku byerekeye ihame ryo kudahungabanywa mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe, Urukiko rusanga abahanga mu mategeko nka Philippe le Tourneau na Loïc Cadiet bavuga ko hashingiwe ku ihame rizwi, ugomba kwishingira adashobora kubuza uwaguze umutungo kuwutunga mu mudendezo, bisobanura ko umugurisha atagomba guhungabanya umuguzi mu mutungo yamugurishije; byumvikana ko adashobora gusaba uburenganzira kuri uwo mutungo keretse abanje gusaba gutesha agaciro amasezerano. Bavuga kandi ko guhungabanywa mu mutungo bivuze gutakaza umutungo waguzwe k’uwawuguze biturutse ku burenganzira bw’undi muntu utari umugurisha.3 [30] Undi muhanga mu mategeko yavuze ko niyo mu gihe cy’igurisha haba ntacyateganijwe ku bwishingire, ugurisha ategetswe kwishingira kuba uwaguze yavutswa uburenganzira ku mutungo yaguze wose cyangwa igice cyawo, cyangwa
3 Le Tourneau, Philippe & Cadiet, Loïc, Droit de la responsabilité. (1998). Page 715 – 716, Selon une maxime célèbre, qui doit garantie ne peut évincer, elle signifie que le vendeur ne doit pas perturber la jouissance paisible de l’acquereur. Concrètement, il ne saurait invoquer un droit sur le bien (trouble de droit, sauf pour intenter une action en nullité absolue ⦋..⦌. L’éviction est la perte que souffre l’acheteur de la chose vendue, ou d’une part, par le droit d’un tiers.
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yakwishyuzwa imyenda kuri wo atamenyeshejwe mu gihe cy’igurisha biturutse ku burenganzira bw’undi.4 [31] Urukiko rushingiye ku bisobanuro by’abo bahanga, rusanga iryo hame ryumvikanisha ko ugomba kuryozwa guhungabanywa k’umuguzi mu mutungo utimukanwa yaguze ari uwawumugurishije. Uko ni nako iryo hame ryanasobanuwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza N° RCAA 00031/2016/SC aho rwavuze ko umugurisha yishingira ko uwo agurishije atagira ikimuhungabanya mu butunzi bw’icyaguzwe, ko umugurisha agomba kwishyura cyangwa agasaba ko umuguzi yishyurwa n’umuvutsa ibyo yaguze⦋..⦌5 [32] Ku birebana n’inkurikizi z’uko uwaguze umutungo awusubije nyirawo, Uru Rukiko rwafashe umurongo kuri icyo kibazo ruvuga ko abagurishije bagomba gusubiza abaguzi bavukijwe ibyo baguze agaciro kabyo ku munsi babivukijweho, kandi ko hagomba gushingirwa ku gaciro uwo mutungo ubwawo ugezeho⦋...⦌.6 [33] Rushingiye ku bisobanuro byatanzwe mu bika bibanziriza iki, Urukiko rusanga ihame ryo kudahungabanywa mu butunzi
4 Corbière, P. H. (1867). Le droit privé administratif et public dans ses rapports avec la conscience et le culte catholique. Martin-Beaupré., p. 493- 496.Quoique lors de la vente, il n’ait été fait aucune stipulation sur la garantie, le vendeur est obligé de droit, à garantir l’acquereur de l’éviction qu’il souffre de la totalité ou partie de l’object vendu, ou des charges prétendues sur cet objet, et non déclarées lors de la vente. 5 Urubanza N° RCAA 00031/2016/SC haburana Nishimwe Claudine, Mashami Gisèle v. Mugenga Joseph, rwaciwe ku wa 25/09/2019. 6 Reba urubanza No RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2020/SC, haburana Twagirayezu Alice na bagenzi v. Twagirayezu Albert na Umumaranyota Agnès, rwaciwe ku wa 10/12/2021, ku rupapuro rwa 18, igika cya 41 na 42.
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bw’ikibanza cyaguzwe ryaragombaga kubahirizwa na Rekeraho Aloys witabye Imana, akaba ahagarariwe na Ingabire Jacqueline, nk’uwagurishije Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse ikibanza akaza kucyamburwa hashingiwe ku rubanza N° RCA 0412/10/HC/KIG rwemeje ko uwo mutungo ari uwa Birikunzira Jean Baptiste, rukanatesha agaciro amasezerano yabaye hagati ya Rekeraho Aloys na Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse. Bityo, Ingabire Jacqueline akaba ariwe ugomba gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse amafaranga y’ikiguzi cy’icyo kibanza. [34] Ku birebana n’ingano y’amafaranga Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse agomba gusubizwa, Urukiko rusanga Ingabire Jacqueline agomba kumusubiza amafaranga 22.500.000 ahwanye n’agaciro k’ikibanza yaguze kagenwe n’Umuhanga Eng. Rutazana Jérôme ku wa 08/11/2017. Naho ibivugwa na Me Nsabayezu Evariste ko Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yasubizwa amafaranga 60.000.000 ashingiye ku gaciro ikibanza yaguze gifite ubu, nta shingiro bifite kuko nk’uko byafashweho umurongo n’uru Rukiko mu manza zitandukanye, iyo ngingo itigeze isuzumwa mu rubanza rusabirwa gusubirwamo, kandi akaba atarasabye ko rusubirwamo.7 [35] Urukiko rusanga ariko BNR igomba kuryozwa igihombo yateje Rekeraho Aloys ku bw’amakosa yakoze8 yo guha ikibanza
7 Reba urubanza N° RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/SC haburana Ngizweninshuti Albert na Muhima Giovanni, rwaciwe ku wa 21/02/2020, igika cya 21. 8 Cité par Serge Braudo et Alexis Baumann, Dictionnaire Juridique, 1996- 2019, available on https://www.dictionnaire-juridique.com › definition › do..., accessed on 14/07/2022, la responsabilité civile est engagée, soit en raison de l'inexécution d'un contrat, soit en raison d'un acte volontaire ou non, entraînant pour la personne qui est fautive ou qui est légalement présumée
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kimwe abakozi babiri, byatumye cyamburwa Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse wari wakiguze. Ihame ryo kuryoza nyir’ugukora ikosa ryagize uwo ryangiriza yishyura uwarikorewe indishyi ryasobanuwe kandi n’uru Rukiko mu manza zitandukanye.9 Bityo, BNR ikaba igomba guha Ingabire Jacqueline amafaranga 15.800.000 Frw, aturuka kuri 22.500.000 Frw agomba gusubiza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, havuyemo 6.700.000 Frw Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yari yarahaye Rekeraho Aloys bagura ikibanza. BNR igomba kandi guha Ingabire Jacqueline 1.200.000 Frw, Rekeraho Aloys yari yaratanze kugirango BNR imuhe ikibanza. ii. Kumenya niba indishyi ababuranyi basaba bakwiye kuzihabwa [36] Me Murego Jean Léonard ashingiye ku ngingo ya 258 y'Igitabo cya gatatu cy'urwunge rw'amategeko mbonezamubano (CCLIII), ingingo ya 111, igika cya 2 y’Itegeko N° 22/2022 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi n’ingingo ya 109 y’Itegeko rigenga amasezerano, asaba Urukiko gutegeka Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse na Ingabire Jacqueline gufatanya (obligation in solidum) kwishyura BNR indishyi zingana na 2.500.000 Frw yo gushorwa mu manza ku maherere, igihembo cy’Avoka kuko yatakaje umwanya, amafaranga n’ibikoresho bitandukanye mu gukurikirana uru rubanza.
fautive, l'obligation de réparer le dommage qui a été subi par une ou plusieurs autres. 9 Reba urubanza N° RS/INJUST/RC 00005/2021/SC haburana RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd na Dusabimana Fulgence rwaciwe ku wa 21/01/2022, igika cya 26, 31 na 35
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[37] Me Nsabayezu Evariste wunganira Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse avuga ko indishyi BNR isaba itazikwiye kuko nta karengane yakorewe, ahubwo amakosa yayo ariyo yatumye Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse yamburwa ikibanza. Asaba Urukiko kugenera Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse amafaranga 2.000.000 y’igihembo cy’Avoka na 500.000 y’ikurikiranarubanza, hashingiwe ku ngingo ya 9 y’Itegeko N° 22/2022 ryavuzwe haruguru n’iya 34 y’Amabwiriza agena ibihembo mbonera by’Abavoka. [38] Me Habakurama François Xavier wunganira Ingabire Jacqueline avuga ko indishyi BNR isaba idakwiye kuzihabwa kuko yirengagiza ikibazo yateje kandi ntinasobanure impamvu yazo. Ashingiye ku ngingo ya 111 y’Itegeko N° 22/2022 ryavuzwe haruguru, asaba ahubwo ko Ingabire Jacqueline yasubizwa ibyo yatakaje muri izi manza ashorwamo na BNR, agahabwa 2000.000 Frw y’igihembo cy’ Avoka na 500.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [39] Ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018, ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ko “ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza ni ikirego gishamikira ku kirego cy’iremezo kigamije kwishyuza ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza. Ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza kiburanishirizwa rimwe n’ikirego cy’iremezo. Gishobora kandi kwakirwa kikanaburanishwa n’iyo ikirego cy’iremezo cyaba kitakiriwe.”
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[40] Urukiko rurasanga amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ay’ikurikiranarubanza Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse asaba agomba kuyahabwa kuko byabaye ngombwa gukurikirana urubanza bitewe no kuba amasezerano y’ubugure yagiranye na Rekeraho Aloys yarateshejwe agaciro biturutse ku makosa ya BNR, akamburwa umutungo yaguze, bikaba ngombwa gushaka umwunganira. Icyakora, kubera ko amafaranga asaba ari menshi kandi akaba atayatangira ibisobanuro, akaba agenewe mu bushishozi bw’Urukiko 500.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka, na 300.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza, yose hamwe akaba 800.000 Frw. Urukiko rurasanga kandi ayo mafaranga agomba gutangwa na BNR na Ingabire Jacqueline bagize ibyo batsindirwa mu rubanza, buri wese agatanga kimwe cya kabiri cyayo, ni ukuvuga 400.000 Frw. [41] Urukiko rurasanga amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ay’ikurikiranarubanza Ingabire Jacqueline na BNR basaba batagomba kuyahabwa kuko hari ibyo batsindiwe muri uru rubanza. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [42] Rwemeje ko ikirego cyatanzwe na Banki Nkuru y’u Rwanda (BNR) isaba gusubirishamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane urubanza N° RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 27/08/2020, gifite ishingiro kuri bimwe; [43] Rwemeje ko imikirize y’urubanza N° RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 27/08/2020 ihindutse kuri byose;
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[44] Rutegetse Ingabire Jacqueline guha Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse amafaranga 22.500.000; [45] Rutegetse Banki Nkuru y’u Rwanda (BNR) guha Ingabire Jacqueline amafaranga 17.000.000; [46] Rutegetse Banki Nkuru y’ u Rwanda (BNR) na Ingabire Jacqueline guha Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse amafaranga 800.000, buri wese agatanga kimwe cya kabiri cyayo, ni ukuvuga 400.000 Frw.
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BATSINDA N’ABANDI V BIZIMANA N’UNDI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’UBUJURIRE – RCAA00002/2021/CA (Kamere, P.J.) 03 Werurwe 2023] Itegeko rigenga iyimurwa – Iyimurwa mu rwego rwo gushyira mu bikorwa igishushanyo mbonera cy’imikoreshereze y’ubutaka – Umuntu wahawe umutungo n’urwego rwa Leta rubifitiye ububasha, ugizwe n’inzu ndetse n’ubutaka mu rwego rw’iyimurwa ku nyungu rusange (expropriation) nawe agatanga ingurane ikwiye yategetswe, aba yahawe uwo mutungo mu buryo bukurikije Amategeko agenga iyimurwa, ntabwo yahugabanywa ku burenganzira kuri uwo mutungo. Incamake y’icyibazo: Uru rubanza rwatangiye Batsinda, Mukandoli na Mukabatsinda barega Bizimana mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge basaba Urukiko gutesha agaciro icyemezo cy’ubukode burambye cyanditswe kuri Bizimana na Mukamana, kikandikwa ku bazungura ba Butera gagizwe n’abarega bavuga ko uregwa yiyandikishijeho umutungo uburanwa mu buriganya. Urukiko mu rubanza RC00499/2017/TGI/NYGE, rwemeje ko ikirego cyatanzwe n’abarega gifite ishingiro, rutegeka ko ubutaba buburanwa kwandikwa ku bazungura ba Butera, bukavanwa kuri Bizimana na Mukamana. Bizimana ntiyishimiye icyo cyemezo, akijuririra mu Rukiko Rukuru, avuga ko ikirego cy’abazungura ba Butera bahagarariwe na Batsinda ku rwego rwa mbere kitagombaga kwakirwa, kuko ngo batagombaga gusaba gutesha agaciro icyemezo cy’ubukode 189
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burambye yahawe, kubera ko ari inyandikomvaho, batabanje kuyiregera mu manza nshinjabyaha ko ari inyandiko mpimbano. Avuga ko ubwo butaka yabuhawe na Leta yimuye abo bazungura, akaba yarabutangiye ingurane ikwiye. Urukiko Rukuru mu rubanza RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG rwemeje ko ubujurire bwatanzwe na Bizimana bufite ishingiro, ko urubanza rwajuririwe ruhindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose, ko kandi ubutaka buburanwa ari ubwa Bizimana. Batsinda na bagenzi be bajuririye icyo cyemezo mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire, barusaba gusuzuma niba Urukiko Rukuru rwaragombaga kwemeza ko ubutaka buburanwa bw’abazungura ba Butera bugumanwa na Bizimana no gusuzuma niba indishyi zitandukanye zaciwe Batsinda na bagenzi be zateshwa agaciro. Bizimana we avuga ko nta makosa Urukiko Rukuru rwakoze mu kwemeza ko agomba kubugumana kuko yabuhawe n’urwego rwa Leta rubifitiye ububasha mu mwaka wa 2004 amaze kubutangaho ingurane ikwiye yari yasabwe. Urukiko rw’Ubujurire mu rubanza RCAA00002/2021/CA rwemeje ko Batsinda na bagenzi be batsindwa no kutabasha kugaragaza ibimenyetso by’uburiganya bavuga ko Bizimana yakoresheje kugirango yandikwe nka nyir’umutungo uburanwa, kuko yawuhawe n’Urwego rwa Leta rwari rubifitiye ububasha kandi amaze kubahiriza ibyo yasabwaga byose hakurikijwe ibyateganywaga n’amategeko agenga iby’iyimurwa(expropriation) yariho muri icyo gihe. Incamake y’icyemezo: Umuntu wahawe umutungo n’urwego rwa Leta rubifitiye ububasha, ugizwe n’inzu ndetse n’ubutaka mu rwego rw’iyimurwa (expropriation) nawe agatanga ingurane ikwiye yategetswe, aba yahawe uwo mutungo mu buryo bukurikije Amategeko agenga iyimurwa, ntabwo yahugabanywa
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ku burenganzira kuri uwo mutungo. Bityo ntabwo uwimuwe yakwita uwo mutungo uwe yitwaje ko yanze gufata ingurane kandi atarakoze ibyo Amategeko ateganya kugirango agaragaze ko atanyuzwe n’ingurane yahawe. Ubujurire nta shingiro bufite. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, zi’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 12, 111 Itegeko-Teka No 21/79 ryo kuwa 23 Nyakanga 1979 ryerekeye kwimura abantu kubera imirimo ifitiye Igihugu akamaro ryemejwe n’Itegeko N° 01/82 ryo kuwa 26/01/1982 Nta manza zifashshijwe. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Mu rubanza RC00499/2017/TGI/NYGE, Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata bareze Bizimana Augustin mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, basaba gutesha agaciro icyemezo cy’ubukode burambye nº 1/02/13/03/815 cyanditswe kuri Bizimana Augustin na Mukamana Dancille, kikandikwa ku bazungura ba Butera Emile, basaba kandi indishyi zitandukanye. Kuri urwo rwego hagobokeshejwe ku gahato uwitwa Kasine Félicité. Abarega
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basobanuye ko ari abavandimwe ba nyakwigendera Butera Emile bakaba n’abazungura be bemewe n’amategeko, ko umutungo yasize uburanwa na Bizimana Augustin na Mukamana Dancille bawiyandikishijeho mu buryo bw’uburiganya. [2] Ku wa 02/11/2018, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwakijije urwo rubanza maze rwemeza ko ikirego cyatanzwe na Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata gifite ishingiro, rwemeza ko Bizimana Augustin yibarujeho we n’umugore we ikibanza kibaruye kuri UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 giherereye mu Kagari ka Rukiri I, Umurenge wa Remera, akubiyemo ubutaka bwa Butera Emile uzungurwa na Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata bungana na 4 ares na 75 Ca, bukaba bugomba gukurwamo bugasubizwa abazungura ba Butera Emile, rutegeka ko icyemezo cy’ubukode burambye nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 cy’ubutaka buherereye mu Mudugudu w’Agashyitsi, Akagari ka Rukiri I, Umurenge wa Remera, Akarere ka Gasabo cyanditse kuri Bizimana Augustin na Mukamana Dancille, gikosorwa hagakurwamo ubutaka bwa Butera Emile uzungurwa na Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata buhwanye na 4 ares na 75 Ca, akaba ari bo bubarurwaho. [3] Bizimana Augustin ntiyishimiye icyo cyemezo, akijuririra mu Rukiko Rukuru, ubujurire bwe bwandikwa kuri RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG, avuga ko ikirego cy’abazungura ba Butera Emille bahagarariwe na Batsinda Camille ku rwego rwa mbere kitagombaga kwakirwa, kuko batagombaga gusaba gutesha agaciro icyemezo cy’ubukode burambye gifite UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 yahawe, kubera ko ari inyandikomvaho, batabanje kuyiregera mu manza nshinjabyaha ko ari inyandiko
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mpimbano, bityo ko urubanza RC00499/2017/TGI/NYGE rwajuririwe rugomba guteshwa agaciro. Yajuriye kandi asaba ko ubutaka buri ku cyangombwa UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 butagomba kuvanwaho 4 ares na 75 Ca z’abazungura ba Butera Emile, ngo kuko yabubonye abuhawe na Leta yimuye abo bazungura, akaba yarabutangiye ingurane ikwiye, asaba kandi ko indishyi zagenewe abazungura ba Butera Emile bahagarariwe na Batsinda Camille zivanwaho, hanyuma izo yasabye kubera igihombo bamuteje zigahabwa agaciro. [4] Ku wa 09/10/2020, Urukiko Rukuru rwakijije urwo rubanza, rwemeza ko ubujurire bwatanzwe na Bizimana Augustin bufite ishingiro, ko urubanza RC 00499/2017/TGI/NYGE rwajuririwe ruhindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose, ko kandi ubutaka bungana na 4 ares 75 ca bwari ubw’abazungura ba Butera Emile ari bo Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata buri mu kibanza nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 bugumanwa na Bizimana Augustin. Rutegeka Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata guha Bizimana Augustin indishyi zingana na miliyoni esheshatu n’ibihumbi magana atanu na mirongo ine (6.540.000Frw) akubiyemo miliyoni eshanu (5.000.000Frw) y’indishyi z’akababaro, miliyoni imwe n’ibihumbi magana atanu (1.500.000Frw) y’igihembo cy’Avoka, n’amafaranga ibihumbi mirongo ine (40.000Frw) y’igarama yatanze. [5] Ku wa 08/11/2020, Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata bajuririye icyo cyemezo mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire, ubujurire bwabo bwandikwa kuri RCAA00002/2021/CA, barusaba gusuzuma niba Urukiko Rukuru rwaragombaga kwemeza ko ubutaka bungana na 4 ares
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75 ca bw’abazungura ba Butera Emile buri mu kibaza nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 bugumanwa na Bizimana Augustin no gusuzuma niba indishyi zitandukanye zaciwe Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata zateshwa agaciro. [6] Urubanza ruburanishwa mu ruhame ku wa 13/10/2021, Batsinda Camile yunganiwe na Me Nubumwe Jean Bosco na Me Ngarambe Raphaël bakanahagararira Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata na Kasine Félicité, naho Bizimana Augustin yunganiwe na Me Taremwa Danitar Daniel na Me Bayingana Janvier, hasuzumwa inzitizi z’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko zatanzwe n’uruhande ruregwa rwa Bizimana Augustin. [7] Ku wa 29/10/2021, Urukiko rwafashe icyemezo kuri iyo nzitizi, rwemeza ko ikirego cy’ubujurire bwa kabiri cyatanzwe na Batsinda Camille, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata kiri mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, rutegeka ko iburanisha ry’uru rubanza rizakomeza ku wa 10/11/2021 guhera saa tatu n’igice za mugitondo (09h30). [8] Urubanza rwagiye rusubikwa ku mpamvu zinyuranye kugeza ubwo rushyizwe ku wa 13/02/2023, ruburanishwa ababuranyi bunganiwe mu buryo basanganywe, Batsinda Camile yunganiwe na Me Nubumwe Jean Bosco na Me Ngarambe Raphaël bakanahagararira Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata na Kasine Félicité, naho Bizimana Augustin yunganiwe na Me Taremwa Danitar Daniel na Me Bayingana Janvier. [9] Urubanza rwaburanishijwe ku mpamvu z’ubujurire zagaragajwe mu nama ntegurarubanza, zerekeranye no gusuzuma niba Urukiko Rukuru rwaragombaga kwemeza ko ubutaka
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bungana na 4 ares 75 CA bw’abazungura ba Butera Emile buri mu kibaza nº UPI 1/02/13/03/815 bugumanwa na Bizimana Augustin, gusuzuma niba indishyi zitandukanye zaciwe Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata zateshwa agaciro, ikibazo cy’indishyi z’akababaro zingana na 10.000.000Frw n’indishyi zo gushorwa mu manza ku maherere zingana na 5.000.000Frw zisabwa n’abajuriye, n’amafaranga y’ibyagiye ku rubanza asabwa n’impande zombi. Isomwa ry’urubanza ryashyizwe ku wa 24/02/2023 ariko nyuma Urukiko ruryimurira ku wa 03/03/2023. II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URU RUBANZA N’ISESENGURA RYABYO i. Kumenya niba hari ikosa ryakozwe mu kuba Urukiko Rukuru rwaremeje ko ubutaka bungana na 4 ares 75 CA bwahoze ari ubw’abazungura ba Butera Emile buri mu kibaza nº UPI 1/02/13/03/815 bugumanwa na Bizimana Augustin [10] Me Ngarambe Raphael na Me Nubumwe Jean Bosco bunganira Batsinda Camile, bakanahagararira Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata na Kasine Felesita bavuga ko banenga ko Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko ubutaka bungana na 4 Ares 75 CA bw’abazungura ba Butera Emile buri mu kibaza nº UPI 1/02/13/03/815 bugumanwa na Bizimana Augustin. Basobanura ko nyuma y’uko abazungura ba Butera Emile aribo Batsinda Camille, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata babonye ko Bizimana Augustin yakoze uburiganya mu kwibaruzaho umutungo wa Butera Emile, bagejeje icyo kibazo ku buyobozi bw’inzego zitandukanye zirimo Umujyi wa Kigali, Akarere ka Gasabo n’Urwego rw’Umurenge kugira ngo
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zibafashe gusubizwa umutungo w’umuvandimwe wabo, maze zimaze gusesengura icyo kibazo zishingiye ku nyandiko zitandukanye zirebana n’ikibanza kibaruye kuri UPI: 1/02/13/03/815, bugasanga koko Bizimana Augustin n’umugore we barakoresheje uburiganya mu kwibaruzaho icyo kibanza, ndetse bunandikira Umuyobozi Mukuru w’Ikigo Gishinzwe Umutungo Kamere bumusaba gutesha agaciro icyo cyangombwa cyabonetse kubw’uburiganya. [11] Bakomeza basobanura ko nyuma yo guhabwa ayo makuru kuri ubwo buriganya, Umuyobozi Mukuru w’Ikigo Gishinzwe Umutungo kamere yandikiye Batsinda Camille amusaba gukurikirana Bizimana Augustin imbere y’inzego zibifitiye ububasha, kugira ngo icyo cyangombwa giteshwe agaciro, ndetse ko byaje no gushimangirwa na Minisitiri w’Umutungo Kamere. [12] Bavuga ko kuba Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwarashingiye ku nyandiko zitandukanye z’Ubuyobozi, ku kuba Bizimana nta nyubako yashyize kuri ubwo butaka, no ku kuba Batsinda Camille nawe yarasabye ko yahubaka, maze rugategeka ko ubutaka bungana na 4 Ares 75 Ca buvanwa mu kibanza Bizimana Augustin yahawe gifite ubuso bungana na 21 Ares 49 Ca, basanga bifite ishingiro. Ko basanga kuba Urukiko Rukuru rwarafashe icyemezo rushingiye kuri expropriation yakozwe ari inenge, ngo kuko n'Umujyi wa Kigali ubwawo mu iburanisha wemeje ko nta expropriation yabaye, akaba ari nayo mpamvu basaba ko icyemezo cyafashwe n'Urukiko Rukuru cyateshwa agaciro. [13] Bavuga ko bashingira ku ngingo ya 34 y’ Itegeko- Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo muri 2003 nk’uko ryavuguruwe muri 2015, ku ngingo ya 17 akagemo ka 2
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k’amasezerano- mpuzamahanga y’uburenganzira bwa muntu yo kuwa 10/12/1948, n’ingingo ya 34 y’Itegeko Nº 43/2013 ryo kuwa 16/06/2013 rigenga ubutaka mu Rwanda. [14] Me Taremwa Daniel Danitar na Me Bayingana Janvier, bunganira Bizimana Augustin, biregura kuri iyi mpamvu y’ubujurire bavuga ko kuwa 20/06/2014, nyuma y’ibaruwa yo ku wa 30/8/2013, mu gihe cy’amezi icyenda (9) n’iminsi makumyabiri n’umwe (21), Umuyobozi w’Akarere ka Gasabo yandikiye Umubitsi w’Impapuro Mpamo z’Ubutaka ibaruwa ifite Nº 1345/07/01.02/2014, aho mu gika cyayo cya gatanu (5) yasabye ko icyangombwa cy’ikibanza UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 giteshwa agaciro ngo “. kubera ko amakimbirane yari yarashyizwemo na Batsinda Camile nta mpamvu igaragara yatumye avanwamo”, akanakomoza ku rubanza RC0180/10/TB/KMA rwaciwe ku wa 29/09/2010, agamije gushimangira ko urukiko rwemeje ko Batsinda, Mukandoli na Mukabatsinda ari bo bazungura bemewe n’amategeko ba nyakwigendera Butera Emile. Bongeraho ko icyo Umuyobozi w’Akarere atavuze muri iyo baruwa ye, ari uko mu rubanza RC0127/04/TP/KIG rwaciwe kuwa 04/01/2006, hashize imyaka umunani (8), amezi atanu (5) n’iminsi cumi n’irindwi (17), Umuyobozi w’Akarere ka Gasabo yanditse ibaruwa Nº 1345/07/01.02/2014, aho abo bazungura “. Bagenewe kuzungura ½ cy’agaciro kumvikanyweho n’ababuranyi bombi ku nzu yari mu kibanza giherereye i Remera, Kacyiru, Rukiri ya I yabariwe n’amafaranga ya expropriation n’Umujyi wa Kigali”. [15] Bavuga ko mu gika cya 13 cy’urubanza RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG, Urukiko Rukuru rwasanze kuwa 23/6/2004 Bizimana Augustin yarasabye Umujyi wa Kigali ikibanza cy’ubucuruzi maze akagipimirwa, agahabwa Fiche
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Cadastrale Nº 10184 igaragaza ko yahawe ubutaka bungana na 21 Ares 49 Ca. Ko kubera ko ubutaka yahawe bwari butuwemo n’abandi bantu, Umujyi wa Kigali wamusabye gutanga ingurane akayitanga, nk’uko bigaragazwa na Quittance nº 22564/VK yo kuwa 8/7/2004, aho yishyuye ingurane ingana na 13.313.218Frw muri Banki y’Ubucuruzi y’u Rwanda (BCR), ndetse ko kuwa 22/11/2004 yishyuye andi 4.666.451Frw ya expropriation kuri Quittance nº 28368/VK, kandi ko icyishyurirwaga yari iyo expropriation. [16] Bibutsa ko mu gika cya 21 cy’urubanza RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG, Urukiko Rukuru rwagize ruti: “. nk’uko bigaragara muri raporo y’Umuvunyi ndetse n’ibimenyetso bitandukanye, exproriation yarabaye, ikibanza kiratangwa nk’uko binagaragazwa n’inyandiko z’Umujyi wa Kigali watanze iki kibanza", hanyuma mu gika cya 26 cy’urwo rubanza, Urukiko Rukuru rukagira ruti: “ubutaka bwa Seccession Butera Emile, Bizimana ntiyabubonye mu buriganya, ahubwo yabuhawe n’Urwego rubifitiye ububasha. Kandi nk’uko urukiko rwabigaragaje, nta kosa Umujyi wa Kigali wakoze cyangwa amategeko utubahirije byatuma Bizimana yamburwa ubu butaka mu gihe yamaze kubutangira ingurane ikwiye”. Bavuga kandi ko ari ukubera iyi mpamvu, kimwe n’izindi nyinshi, Urukiko Rukuru Rukuru rwemeje ko “ubutaka bungana na 4 ares 75 Ca bwari ubw’abazungura ba Butera Emile. buri mu kibaza nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 bugumanwa na Bizimana Augustin”. [17] Bavuga kandi ko ibivugwa n’abajuriye by’uko ubutaka buburanwa ari ubw’abazungura ba Butera Emile atari ko biri, kubera ko kuva ikibazo cyatangira kugeza ubu nta na rimwe bigeze bagira uburenganzira ku mutungo w’ubutaka, kuko ubwo Kasine Felecita yari yabareze, icyaburanwaga cyari inzu ya
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nyakwigendera Butera Emile n’umugore we Mukankurunziza Cansilide, maze urukiko rubifataho icyemezo cy’uko abazungura ba nyakwigendera bazungura agaciro ka Expropriation kandi ko ibyo bishimangirwa n’ibaruwa nº271/6.04/05 yo kuwa 14/09/2005, aho urukiko rwaburanishaga urubanza rwo kuzungura rwasabye Umujyi wa Kigali ko nta gikorwa icyo ari cyo cyose kigomba gukorwa ku nzu iburanwa. Bityo ko uretse gushingira ku ibaruwa Nº 1345/07/01.02/2014, abajuriye nta burenganzira bafite bwo kuburana umutungo w’ubutaka bwa Leta Butera Emile yari yarubatseho inzu. [18] Abunganira Batsinda Camile bakanahagararira Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata na Kasine Felesita bavuga ko ibimaze kuvugwa haruguru n’abunganira Bizimana Augustin ari ubwa mbere bivuzwe, ko mu manza zabanje bitavuzweho, ko basaba Urukiko rw’Ubujurire kuzabitesha agaciro kubera ko umutungo uburanwa ukomoka kuri Butera Emile, nk’uko bigargazwa na Fiche cadastrale n’icyemezo cyo kubaka biri muri IECMS byagaragarijwe inkiko zibanza kuva urubanza rugitangira. Ko abajuriye bakomora uburenganzira bwo gukurikirana uwo mutungo ku rubanza RC0180/010/TB/KMA rwaciwe kuwa 29/09/2010. [19] Ku birebana n’iyi fiche cadastrale imaze kuvugwa haruguru, abunganira Bizimana Augustin basubiza ko itashingirwaho kubera ko itariho umukono w’uwayikoze ndetse na cachet ya Leta. Bongeraho ko ku bijyanye no kuvuga ko ubutaka bungana na 4 ares 75 ca ari ubw’abazungura ba Butera Emile atari byo, ko umutungo w’ubutaka uvugwa utigeze uba uw’abazungura ba Butera Emille na Mukankurunziza Cansilide kubera ko guhera mu mwaka wa 1994 kugeza kuwa 25/06/2003 ikirego cya Kasine Felicité cyandikiweho mu rukiko, uretse no
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kutaba umutungo w’abazungura, ngo nta n’ubwo wari warigeze uba uwa ba nyakwigendera Butera Emile na Mukankurunziza Cansilde kuko ngo mu gihe bari bakiriho ubutaka bwari umutungo wa Leta1. Bityo ko kubera iyo mpamvu nta munsi n’umwe cyangwa isaha n’imwe uwo mutungo w’ubutaka wigeze uba umutungo w’abazungura ba Butera Emille, ndetse ko igihe cyose abazungura ba Butera Emile bagiraga uburenganzira bwo kuzungura bwabaga bungana n’uburenganzira bw’abavandimwe ba Mukankurunziza Cansilde kandi ko aba ubu barangije kuzungura ku gaciro k’umutungo uburanwa nk’uko byategetswe n’urukiko. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [20] Impaka kuri iyi ngingo zishingiye ku kumenya niba uburyo ubutaka bungana na 4 ares 75 Ca bwahoze ari ubwa nyakwigendera Butera Emile bwashyizwe mu bigize ikibanza nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 cya Bizimana Augustin bwarakurikije amategeko, aho abajuriye bavuga ko byakozwe mu buryo bw’uburiganya kandi mu guca urubanza rwajuririwe Urukiko Rukuru rugakora ikosa ryo kwemeza ko byakurikije amategeko, naho uruhande rwa Bizimana Augustin rwo rukavuga ko nta makosa Urukiko Rukuru rwakoze mu kwemeza ko agomba kubugumana kuko ubwo butaka yabuhawe n’urwego rwa Leta
1In Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forests, Water and Mines, National Land Policy, February 2004, p. 26 ahagira hati: “According to custom, land ownership is held by whoever occupies the land first. This rule has always been respected in our society. However, in modern times, land acquisition by occupation has become obsolete since all vacant land belongs to the State. Likewise, the provisions of the decree-law No. 09/76 of 4th March 1976, article 1, stipulate that “… all land not held under the written law and affected or not by customary law or land occupation belongs to the State”.
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rubifitiye ububasha mu mwaka wa 20042 amaze kubutangaho ingurane ikwiye yari yasabwe. [21] Ingingo ya 12, igika cya 1 y’Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, zi’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ibikurikira: “Urega agomba kugaragaza ibimenyetso by’ibyo aregera. Iyo abibuze, uwarezwe aratsinda”. [22] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaza ko ku wa 23/6/2004 Bizimana Augustin yasabye Umujyi wa Kigali ikibanza cy’ubucuruzi mu rwego rwo gushyira mu bikorwa igishushanyo mbonera cy’imitunganyirize y’Umujyi, aracyemererwa kuko yapimiwe ikibanza kigahabwa fiche cadastrale no 10184 ku butaka bungana na 21 ares 49 Ca. [23] dosiye igaragaza kandi ko ikibanza Bizimana Augustin yahawe ari ubutaka bwari busanzwe buriho ibikorwa by’abandi bantu, kuko Umujyi wa Kigali wamusabye kubanza kubitangira ingurane kandi akaba yarayitanze nk’uko bigaragazwa na quittance no 22564/VK yo ku wa 8/7/2004 y’ubwishyu bungana na 13.313.218Frw na quittance no 28368/VK yo ku wa 22/11/2004 y’ubwishyu bungana na 4.666.451Frw, zombi zigaragaza ko ayo mafaranga yashyizwe kuri konti y’Umujyi wa Kigali muri Banki y’Ubucuruzi y’u Rwanda (BCR) hishyurirwa ibikorwa bya expropriation (kwimura abantu).
2BIZIMANA Augustin avuga ko yabwishyuyeho ingurane ingana na 13.313.218 Frw muri Banki y’Ubucuruzi BCR kuri Quittance nº 22564/VK yo ku wa 08/07/2004, no ku wa 22/11/2004 yishyuye andi 4.666.451 Frw kuri Quittance nº 28368/VK ya expropriation
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[24] Dosiye igaragaza ko Umujyi wa Kigali wandikiye Batsinda Camille uhagarariye abazunguza ba Butera Emile ibaruwa no 5152/07.11.10/04 yo ku wa 21/9/2004 yamusabaga kuza kwerekwa agaciro gahwanye n’umutungo we utimukanwa, n’ibaruwa no 5256/0711.10/2004 yo ku wa 29/9/2004 yamusabaga gushaka bureau d’étude yagombaga gufatanya n’Umujyi wa Kigali gusubiramo ibarura mu kibanza no 10184 cyavuzwe haruguru kuko atari yemeye uko ryagenze. Nk’uko na none bigaragara muri dosiye, ku wa 22/10/2004, Umujyi wa Kigali ushingiye kuri ayo maburuwa ukaba warongeye kumwandikira umumenyesha ko igihe yahawe cyarenze, ko amafaranga ahwanye n’agaciro k’umutungo we utimukanwa uri mu kibanza cyavuzwe haruguru yashyizwe kuri konti y’Umujyi wa Kigali, akaba asabwa kuza kuyafata no guhita ava muri icyo kibanza bitarenze igihe cy’iminsi iminsi cumi n’itanu (15). [25] Dosiye inagaragaza ko Batsinda Camille atubahirije ibyo yasabwe byo kuva mu kibanza cyari cyamaze kwishyurirwa ingurane y’ibikorwa byari bikirimo, kuko inagaragaza ko ku wa 18/11/2004 Umujyi wa Kigali wafashe icyemezo cyanditse cyo gusenya. Ibi bikaba bitarahise bishyirwa mu bikorwa kuko ku wa 10/01/2005 Umuyobozi w’Umujyi wa Kigali yongeye kwandikira Batsinda Camille amumenyesha ko ibarura ry’umutungo we uri mu kibanza no 10184 ryarangiye, yongera kumuha indi nteguza y’iminsi irindwi yo kuba yasubirishijemo ibarura niba atararyishimiye, ndetse ku wa 29/4/2005 Batsinda Camille yongeye gusabwa n’ubu buyobozi gusubirishamo iri barura bitarenze iminsi ine (4), ariko aho gushyira mu bikorwa ibi yasabwaga n’ubuyobozi akaba ku wa 13/5/2005 yarandikiye Umujyi wa Kigali asaba kurenganurwa. Ku wa 19/7/2005 Umujyi wa Kigali wandikira polisi uyisaba gutanga ubufasha bwo gukura ku ngufu Batsinda Camille mu kibanza no 10184
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kuko yanze kukivamo ku neza ari nta n’impamvu atanga kandi Bizimana Augustin agomba gutangira kugikoreramo ibyo yagiherewe. [26] Dosiye y’urubanza igaragaza ko na nyuma y’icyemezo cyavuzwe haruguru cyo kuvana ku ngufu za Leta ibikorwa by’umuryango Batsinda Camille yari ahagarariye mu kibanza no 10184 cyahawe Bizimana Augustin, uyu Batsinda Camille yakomeje gusabwa n’inzego za Leta zitandukanye kujya mu Mujyi wa Kigali gufata amafaranga y’ingurane yabariwe ariko yanga kubikora3 ahubwo ahitamo kugeza ikibazo cye mu zindi nzego nazo zamugiriye inama yo kujya gufata amafaranga y’ingurane yabariwe ariko nabwo ntabyemere akikomereza inzira yo kujya mu nkiko4. [27] Urukiko rurasanga mu rwego rw’amategeko Urukiko Rukuru rwaragaragaje ko Bizimana Augustin yasabye ikibanza cy’ubucuruzi Umujyi wa Kigali hagenderwa ku Itegeko-Teka No 21/79 ryo kuwa 23 Nyakanga 1979 ryerekeye kwimura abantu kubera imirimo ifitiye Igihugu akamaro ryemejwe n’Itegeko N° 01/82 ryo kuwa 26/01/1982, ikibanza akaba yari yaragihawe
3 Ku wa 20/8/2005 yandikiwe asabwa kuza gutwara ingurane, ku wa 21/9/2005 arongera arabyibutswa banamubwira ko atagomba kurenza ku wa 24/9/2005, ku wa 22/10/2007 yandikirwa n’Akarere ka Gasabo kamusaba ko yajya mu Mujyi wa Kigali gufata sheki ihwanye n’igice cye kuko KASINE Felicité yari yamaze guhabwa igice cye hashyirwa mu bikorwa ibyategetswe n’urukiko mu rubanza RC 0127/04/TP/KIG ku izungura rya nyakwigendera BUTERA Emile n’umugore we. 4 Reba muri dosiye raporo y’Urwego rw’Umuvunyi yo ku wa 12/11/2008 aho nyuma yo gusesengura iki kibazo rwari rwashyikirijwe na BATSINDA, urwo Rwego rwamusabye kwegera Umujyi wa Kigali agahabwa igice cye cy’amafaranga ya expropriation, rukanamubwira ko BIZIMANA Augustin afite uburenganzira busesuye bwo gukoresha ikibanza cye hakurikijwe ibyo yemerewe n’inzego z’ubuyobozi zibifiteye uburenganzira.
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ariko Itegeko N° 18/2007 ryo kuwa 19/04/2007 ryerekeye kwimura abantu ku mpamvu z’inyungu rusange rikaba ryaratangajwe atarabasha kugira ibyo akorera muri iki kibanza kuko Batsinda Camille yakomeje gutsimbarara ku kuguma muri iki kibanza no kudafata amafaranga y’ingurane yabariwe. [28] Hashingiwe ku bimenyetso n’ibisobanuro bimaze kugaragazwa haruguru kandi byanashingiweho n’Urukiko Rukuru mu guca urubanza rwajuririwe5, uru Rukiko rurasanga Batsinda Camille, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annociata bahuje imiburanire, no muri ubu bujurire bakomeza gutsindwa no kutabasha kugaragaza ibimenyetso by’uburiganya bavuga ko Bizimana Augustin uregwa yakoresheje kugira ngo we n’umugore we Mukamana Dancille bandikwe nka ba nyir’umutungo utimukanwa wabaruwe kuri UPI 1/02/13/03/815, nk’uko biteganywa n’ingingo ya 12 y’Itegeko No22/2018 yibukijwe haruguru. Kimwe n’Urukiko Rukuru rwaciye urubanza rwajuririwe, uru Rukiko narwo rukaba rusanga Bizimana Augustin yarabaye nyir’uyu mutungo awuhawe n’Urwego rwa Leta rwari rubifitiye ububasha kandi amaze kubahiriza ibyo yasabwaga byose hakurikijwe ibyateganywaga n’amategeko agenga iby’iyimurwa (expropriation) yariho muri icyo gihe, ibyo kuba abazungura ba Butera Emile bahagarariwe na Batsinda Camille baranze gufata amafaranga y’ingurane babariwe bikaba ari ikibazo kigomba kuguma hagati yabo n’Umujyi wa Kigali wabimuye kandi washyikirijwe amafaranga yabazwe nk’ingurane, kandi bikaba bitagomba kubangamira uburenganzira Bizimana Augustin yahawe mu buryo bukurikije amategeko nka nyir’umutungo wemerewe kuwukoresha icyo ashaka wagenewe. Bityo ubujurire bwa Batsinda Camille,
5 Reba ibisobanuro birambuye byatanzwe n’Urukiko Rukuru kuri iki kibazo mu duce twa 13-28 tw’urubanza rwajuririwe.
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Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annociata bukaba nta shingiro bufite kuri iyi ngingo. ii. Gusuzuma niba indishyi zitandukanye zaciwe BATSINDA Camile, MUKANDOLI Marcelle na MUKABATSINDA Annonciata zateshwa agaciro [29] Me Nubumwe Jean Bosco na Me Ngarambe Raphael bunganira Batsinda Camile, bakanahagararira Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata na Kasine Felesita basaba Urukiko rw'Ubujurire gutesha agaciro indishyi zitandukanye urukiko rwategetse ko Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata bishyura, ngo kuko ari bo bahohotewe batwarwa umutungo w'umuvandimwe wabo ku maherere. [30] Bizimana Augustin n’abamwunganira basaba Urukiko rw’Ubujurire kuzabisuzumana ubushishozi, rushingiye ku kuba Batsinda Camile na bagenzi be ari bo bamushoye mu rubanza, kandi bazi neza ko baburana uburenganzira batagenewe n'urukiko mu rubanza RC0127/04/TP/KIG. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [31] Urukiko rurasanga indishyi zinyuranye abajuriye basaba ko ziteshwa agaciro ari izasobanuwe n’Urukiko rwaciye urubanza rwajuririwe mu gace karwo ka 33 ku rupapuro rwa 11. Indishyi Urukiko rwategetse abajuriye kwishyura Bizimana Augustin zikaba zingana na 5.000.000Frw kubera ko yabujijwe n’abazungura ba Butera Emile gukoresha ikibanza Umujyi wa Kigali wamuhaye mu buryo bukurikije amategeko, banga gufata ingurane bahawe banamusiragiza mu buyobozi, 1.500.000Frw y’indishyi z’igihembo cya Avoka kubera igihe urubanza rumaze, no gusubiza igarama ringana na 40.000Frw.
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[32] Urukiko rurasanga impamvu Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata bashingiraho basaba ko izi ndishyi ziteshwa agaciro ari ukuba ngo barahohotewe batwarwa na Bizimana Augustin umutungo w'umuvandimwe wabo ku maherere, iyi mpamvu y’ubujurire bwabo ikaba nta shingiro ifite kuko nk’uko byamaze gusobanurwa haruguru, umutungo uburanwa Bizimana Augustin yawuhawe n’urwego rubifitiye ububasha kandi hakurikijwe amategeko. iii. Gusuzuma niba abajuriye bahabwa indishyi basaba z’akababaro n’izo gushorwa mu manza ku maherere [33] Abajuriye basaba Urukiko gutegeka Bizimana Augustin kubishyura indishyi z’akababaro zingana na miliyoni icumi (10.000.000Frw) basabye mu Rukiko Rukuru rukanga kuzibaha kubera ko biyandikishijeho ikibanza cy’abazungura ba Butera Emile mu buriganya. Basaba kandi Urukiko kumutegeka kubishyura indishyi zo kubashora mu manza ku maherere zingana na miliyoni eshanu (5.000.000Frw). [34] Bizimana Augustin n’abamwunganira bavuga ko indishyi z’akababaro zingana na miliyoni icumi (10.000.000Frw) zisabwa n’abajuriye nta shingiro zifite, ko ahubwo ari Bizimana Augustin ukwiye guhabwa indishyi mbonezamusaruro zingana zityo, kuko yavukijweuburenganzira bwo kubaka inzu ya kijyambere yakabaye yaramwungukiye mu gihe cy'imyaka 16 yose amaze asiragizwa mu nkiko no mu nzego z'ubuyobozi. [35] Ku bijyanye n’indishyi abajuriye basaba zo gushorwa mu manza ku maherere, bavuga ko Bizimana Augustin yizeye ubushishozi bw'Urukiko bwo kumenya uwashoye undi mu rubanza, ngo kuko asanga atari we washoje urubanza, ko ahubwo
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ari we ukwiye kugenerwa indishyi zingana na miliyoni cumi n’eshanu (15.000.000Frw) kubera gushorwa mu manza guhera 2009. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [36] Urukiko rurasanga impamvu Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata bashingiraho basaba izi ndishyi ukuba ngo baratwawe umutungo wabo mu buryo budakurikije amategeko kandi bagashorwa mu manza ku maherere, iyi mpamvu y’ubujurire bwabo ikaba nta shingiro ifite kuko nk’uko byamaze gusobanurwa haruguru, umutungo uburanwa Bizimana Augustin yawuhawe n’urwego rubifitiye ububasha kandi hakurikijwe amategeko, akaba nta n’imanza yabashoyemo kuko ari bo bamureze ikirego byamaze gusobanurwa haruguru ko nta n’ishingiro gifite. [37] Ku birebana n’indishyi nk’izi Bizimana Augustin asaba, uru Rukiko rurasanga nazo nta shingiro zifite kuko izo yasabye mu rubanza rwajuririwe yazigenewe mu bushishozi bw’Urukiko, akaba ntacyo yigeze agararagaza muri ubu bujurire ko azinengaho. iv. Ibijyanye n’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka asabwa n’ababuranyi. [38] Me Ngarambe Raphaël na Me Nubumwe Jean Bosco bunganira Batsinda Camile, bakanahagararira Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata na Kasine Félicité basaba Urukiko rw'Ubujurire gutegeka Bizimana Augustin kwishyura abajuriye amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cya Avoka angana na 5.000.000Frw hashingiwe ku mabwiriza agena ibihembo mbonera by’Abavoka.
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[39] Bizimana Augustin yiregura avuga ko indishyi abajuriye bamusaba nta shingiro zifite. Asaba Urukiko kuzashishoza maze rwasanga ahubwo ari we ukwiye guhabwa amafaranga y'ikurikiranarubanza n'igihembo cy'Abavoka bamwunganiye guhera mu mwaka wa 2009, rukamugenera amafaranga angana na 18.000.000Frw. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [40] Ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko N° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ibi bikurikira: “Ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza ni ikirego gishamikira ku kirego cy’iremezo kigamije kwishyuza ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza. Ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza kiburanishirizwa rimwe n’ikirego cy’iremezo. Gishobora kandi kwakirwa kikanaburanishwa n’iyo ikirego cy’iremezo cyaba kitakiriwe”; [41] Urukiko rurasanga amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cya Avoka abajuriye basaba batayakwiye, kuko batsindwa uru rubanza ku kiburanwa cy’ibanze. Rurasanga ahubwo Bizimana Augustin ari we uyakwiye kuko yiyambaje Abavoka bo kumwunganira kandi urubanza ruburanishwa inshuro nyinshi no mu gihe kirekire kuri uru rwego. Rurasanga ariko 18.000.000Frw asaba ari menshi, bityo mu bushishozi bw’Urukiko, Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata bakaba bagomba gutegekwa gufatanya kwishyura Bizimana Augustin 1.000.000Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka na 500.000Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza kuri uru rwego, yiyongera ku byategetswe mu rubanza rwajuririwe.
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III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [42] Rwemeje ko ubujurire bwatanzwe na Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata nta shingiro bufite, [43] Rwemeje ko imikirize y’urubanza RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG rwaciwe n'Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 09/10/2020 igumaho mu ngingo zarwo zose; [44] Rutegetse Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle na Mukabatsinda Annonciata gufatanya kwishyura Bizimana Augustin 1.000.000Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka na 500.000Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza kuri uru rwego; [45] Ruvuze ko amagarama y’uru rubanza yatanzwe n’abajuriye ahwanye n’ibyarukozwemo.
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211 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
URUBANZA RW’INSHINJABYAHA
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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. BIMENYIMANA [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’UBUJURIRE – RPAA 00048/2020/CA (Nyirandabaruta, P.J.) 26 Gicurasi 2022] Amategeko nshinjabyaha – Impamvu nyoroshyacyaha – Kwemera icyaha – Kwemera icyaha bwa mbere mu bujurire ntibishobora kubera ubikora impamvu nyoroshyacyaha kuko binyuranye nibiteganywa mu ngingo ya 59 y’itegeko no 68/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange. Incamake y’ikibazo: Uru rubanza rwatangiriye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Musanze, Ubushinjacyaha bukurikiranye uregwa ku byaha binyuranye, icy’ubwinjiracyaha bwo gusambanya umuntu mukuru ku gahato, icyo gukubita no gukomeretsa umuntu ku bushake ku buryo bubabaje n’icyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina. Urwo Rukiko rwaciye urubanza rwemeza ko uregwa ahamwa n’icyaha cyo gukubita no gukomeretsa umuntu ku bushake ku buryo bubabaje n’icyaha cyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina, rumuhanisha igifungo cya burundu. Uregwa ntiyishimiye imikirize y’urwo rubanza, arujuririra mu Rukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Musanze avuga ko yahawe ibihano bikakaye, asaba ko yagabanyirizwa igihano kuko yemera ko yakubise uwakorewe icyaha(victim) akamukomeretsa ariko nta giti yamushyizemo. Urwo Rukiko narwo rwaciye urubanza nuko rwemeza ko imikirize y’urubanza rwajuririwe idahindutse. Uregwa yarongeye ajuririra Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, avuga ko noneho (kuri uru rwego) yajuriye kugira ngo yemere icyaha kandi asabe imbabazi kuko yafashe uwakorewe icyaha(victim) 213
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agashaka kumusambanya abitewe n’inzoga, yabyanga akamukubita hasi, ko mu nzego zose yahakanye icyaha bitewe n’abo bari bafunganwe bamugiriye inama yo kugihakana, ariko akaza gusobanukirwa n’ububi bwacyo, ariyo mpamvu asaba ubutabera imbabazi. Ubushinjacyaha bwo buvuga ko ntacyo uregwa anenga urubanza yajuririye kuko Urukiko rwasuzumye icyo yarusabye (kugirwa umwere ku cyaha cyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina) ari nacyo cyatumye ahanishwa igifungo cya burundu, rugasanga nta shingiro bifite kuko hari ibimenyetso bikimuhamya, rukanasobanura ko adakwiriye kugabanyirizwa igihano kuko ibyaha yahamijwe yabikoranye ubugome bukabije. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Kwemera icyaha bwa mbere mu bujurire ntibishobora kubera ubikora impamvu nyoroshyacyaha kuko binyuranye nibiteganywa mu ngingo ya 59 y’itegeko No 68/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange. Ubujurire nta shingiro bufite. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko Nº 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 nk’uko ryahinduwe n’Itegeko Nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, Ingingo ya 59 n’iya 114. Itegeko N°30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018, rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, Ingingo ya 52, igika cya mbere. Itegeko Nº 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/09/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, Ingingo ya 183,5o na 6o.
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Imanza zifashishijwe: RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA; Ubushinjacyaha v. Munyagishari, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 7/5/2021. RPAA 00013/2020/CA; Ubushinjacyaha v. Habiyakare, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 31/12/2021 RPA 00060/2021/CA; Ubushinjacyaha v. Rusesabagina n’abandi rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 04/04/2022. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Uru rubanza rwatangiriye mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Musanze, Ubushinjacyaha bukurikiranyeho Bimenyimana Jean Paul ibyaha yakoze mu ijoro ryo kuwa 18/09/2018, icy’ubwinjiracyaha cyo gusambanya umuntu mukuru ku gahato, icyo gukubita no gukomeretsa umuntu ku bushake ku buryo bubabaje n’icyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina ya Nyirakabanza Séraphine. [2] Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Musanze rwaciye urubanza n° RP 00464/2018/TGI/MUS kuwa 07/11/2018, rwemeza ko Bimenyimana Jean Paul ahamwa n’icyaha cyo gukubita no gukomeretsa umuntu ku bushake ku buryo bubabaje n’icyaha cyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina, rumuhanisha igifungo cya burundu. [3] Bimenyimana Jean-Paul ntiyishimiye imikirize y’urwo rubanza, arujuririra mu Rukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Musanze avuga ko yahawe ibihano bikakaye, asaba ko yagabanyirizwa
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igihano kuko yemera ko yakubise Nyirakabanza Séraphine akamukomeretsa ariko nta giti yamushyizemo. [4] Mu rubanza n° RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS rwaciwe ku wa 11/04/2019, Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Musanze rushingiye ku mvugo ya Nyirakabanza Séraphine, ku buhamya bwa Rwemeza Félicien, ubw’Umunyamabanga Nshingwabikorwa w’Akagari ka Kirebe, bose bemeza ko Bimenyimana Jean Paul ariwe wahohotereye Nyirakabanza Séraphine no kuri raporo ya muganga, Dr Nkinzingabo Rusangiza Evariste yo ku wa 28/09/2018, igaragaza uko Nyirakabanza Séraphine yageze kwa muganga ameze, rwemeje ko ubujurire bwatanzwe na Bimenyimana Jean Paul nta shingiro bufite, ko imikirize y’urubanza n°RP 00464/2018/TGI/MUS rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Musanze kuwa 07/11/2018, idahindutse. [5] Bimenyimana Jean Paul yarongeye arujuririra mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire, avuga ko yemera icyaha cyo kuba yarafashe Nyirakabanza Séraphine abitewe n’inzoga, asaba imbabzi. [6] Iburanisha mu ruhame ryabaye ku wa 06/04/2022, Bimenyimana Jean Paul yunganiwe na Me Nyirabera Josephine naho Ubushinjacyaha buhagarariwe na Rudatinya Nyangezi Gaspard, Umushinjacyaha ku Rwego rw’Igihugu.
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II. IKIBAZO KIRI MU RUBANZA N’ ISESENGURWA RYACYO i. Kumenya niba ukwemera icyaha kwa Bimenyimana Jean Paul gukorewe bwa mbere mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire kwamubera impamvu ituma agabanyirizwa ibihano. [7] Bimenyimana Jean Paul avuga ko yajuriye kugira ngo yemere icyaha kandi asabe imbabazi kuko yafashe Nyirakabanza Séraphine agashaka kumusambanya abitewe n’inzoga, yabyanga akamukubita hasi, ko mu nzego zose yahakanye icyaha bitewe n’abo bari bafunganwe bamugiriye inama yo kugihakana, ariko akaza gusobanukirwa n’ububi bwacyo, ariyo mpamvu asaba ubutabera imbabazi, Ubushinjacyaha ndetse n’uwo yahemukiye, kuko yagize umwanya wo gutekereza ku cyaha yakoze n’ububi bwacyo akaba yarakizinutswe burundu, akaba yifuza kugabanyirizwa ibihano kuko yemera icyaha akagisabira imbabazi. [8] Me Nyirabera Josephine wunganira Bimenyimana Jean Paul avuga ko uwo yunganira yajurirye yemera icyaha ndetse agisabira n’imbabazi anagaragaza ko yagikoreshejwe n’ubusinzi agakorera ibyamfurambi Nyirakabanza Séraphine akaba amusaba imbabazi ndetse anazisaba umuryango nyarwanda kuko amaze kubona isomo ryamuteye kuzinukwa icyaha. Ko Urukiko rwazita ku myaka ya Bimenyimana Jean Paul maze rukabona ko atararenga ihaniro ku buryo yahanishwa igihano cya burundu. [9] Me Nyirabera Josephine akomeza asaba Urukiko gushingira ku ngingo za 49, 58,59 na 60 z’Itegeko riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, maze rukemeza ko kwihana no kwemera icyaha kwa Bimenyimana Jean Paul ari impamvu
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nyoroshyacyaha, rukamugabanyiriza ibihano rubishingiye ku rubanza rw’icyitegererezo N° RPAA 0124/09/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga haburana Ubushinjacyaha na Twizeyimana Isaï, hakanashingirwa ku ngingo ya 35 y’Itegeko ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, iteganya ko ibihano yahanishwa bishobora kugabanywamo kabiri kuko yemera icyaha. [10] Avuga kandi ko mu kugenera uwo yunganira ibihano Urukiko rwazita ku myaka ye rukabona ko mu ntego z’igihano harimo gukosora no kwigisha, ko kuba Bimenyimana Jean Paul yarakoze icyaha afite imyaka 19, kumuhanisha gufungwa burundu bitaba ari byiza, ahubwo ko yahabwa ibihano nsimburagifungo cy’imirimo ifitiye Igihugu akamaro aho kugira ngo abere igihugu umutwaro igihe cyose azaba afunze, ko n’ubwo yakoranye icyaha ubugome bukabije, kuba Urukiko Rukuru, rwaramuhanishije gufungwa burundu, rwitaye gusa ku buremere bw’icyaha ntirwite ku myaka uwakoze icyaha yari afite, ko ibyo bikwiriye gukosorwa, kandi ko n’imanza zose Ubushinjacyaha bwavuze, nta na rumwe bwagaragaje rwemeje ko hari igihe ushinjwa aba atacyemerewe kwemera icyaha. [11] Uhagarariye Ubushinjacyaha avuga ko nk‘uko bigaragara mu gika cya 5 n’icya 8 by’urubanza rujuririrwa, Bimenyimana Jean Paul yaburanye ahakana yivuye inyuma icyaha cyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina ya Nyirakabanza Séraphine, agasaba guhanirwa gusa icyaha yemera cyo kumukubita no kumukomeretsa, kuko yavugaga ko nta giti yamushinze mu gitsina; ko Urukiko rwabonye ko impamvu ze z’ubujurire nta shingiro zifite kuko hari ibimenyetso bimuhamya icyaha cyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina ya Nyirakabanza Séraphine bigizwe n’imvugo za Nyirakabanza Séraphine wasobanuye
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uburyo yamusabye ko basambana akabyanga, akamukubita agafata igisongo (igiti) akakimujomba mu gitsina, imvugo yashimangiwe n’iy‘umutangabuhamya ndetse na raporo ya muganga, kandi ibyo Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Musanze rukaba rwarabigarutseho mu gika cya 9 n’icya 10. [12] Yakomeje avuga ko Bimenyimana Jean Paul ntacyo anenga urubanza yajuririye kuko Urukiko rwasuzumye icyo yarusabye (kugirwa umwere ku cyaha cyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina) ari nacyo cyatumye ahanishwa igifungo cya burundu, rugasanga nta shingiro bifite kuko hari ibimenyetso bikimuhamya, rusobanura (mu gika cya 11 cy’urubanza) ko adakwiriye kugabanyirizwa igihano kuko ibyaha yahamijwe yakoreye Nyirakabanza Séraphine yabikoranye ubugome bukabije. [13] Uhagarariye Ubushinjacyaha avuga ko icyemezo cy’Urukiko cyo kutagabanyiriza Bimenyimana Jean Paul igihano kubera ubugome yakoranye ibyaha aregwa gihura n’umurongo watanzwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu rubanza n° RPAA0O21/14/CS-RPAA0022/14/CS rwaciwe ku wa 13 Ukwakira 2017, aho urwo Rukiko rwemeje ko igihe icyaha cyakoranywe ubugome bukabije byaba impamvu yo kutagabanyirizwa igihano, rukabivuga muri aya magambo: «nubwo Ntabanganyimana yemera icyaha aregwa, ntiyagabanyirizwa igihano bitewe n’ubugome bukabije yakoranye icyaha, kuko umucamanza adategetswe kukigabanya kuwemeye icyaha mu gihe asanze cyarakoranywe ubugome bukabije». [14] Uhagarariye Ubushinjacyaha avuga kandi ko ingingo ya 35 y’Itegeko ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z‘inshinjabyaha rya 2013 yavuzwe n‘uwunganira Bimenyimana
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Jean Paul nubwo itagikoreshwa kuko itegeko ry’imiburanire rihita rishyirwa mu bikorwa ako kanya (la loi de la procedure est d’application immédiate), kandi ubu hakaba hari itegeko rishya ry’imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha ryatangajwe mu mwaka wa 2019, ingimgo yaryo ya 65 (yasimbuye iya 35) isobanura uburyo uwafatiwe mu cyuho aburanishwa, igika cyayo cya 5 kigasobanura uburyo ushinjwa akurikiranwa akanaburanishwa, ndetse umucamanza akaba ashobora kugabanya ibihano, kandi bigakorwa ku rwego rwa mbere, ko rero kuba mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye no mu Rukiko Rukuru Bimenyimana Jean Paul yaraburanye ahakana icyaha, izo nkiko zitari kumugabanyiriza igihano zishingiye ku ngingo ya 65 yavuzwe haruguru. [15] Uhagarariye Ubushinjacyaha avuga nanone ko amategeko agenda atera imbere, ko imanza uwunganira Bimenyimana Jean Paul avuga zemeje ko nta gihe ntarengwa cyo kwemera icyaha, nyuma yazo Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rwaciye urundi rubanza n° RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA ku wa 7/5/2021, Ubushinjacyaha buburana na Munyagishari Bernard, rukemeza ko impamvu y’ubujurire ya Bernard Munyagishari yo kwemera icyaha mu bujurire yaragihakanye ku rwego rwa mbere idakwiye kwakirwa kuko kuba yari afite ubwo burenganzira bwo kwemera icyaha agitangira gukurikiranwa ntabukoreshe, bigaragaza ko yahisemo kureka burundu inzira yo kuburana yemera icyaha, rukemeza ko rutagomba kuburanisha ubwo bujurire bwe bwo kwemera icyaha bwa mbere mu rwego rw‘ubujurire kuko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rusuzuma inenge uwajuriye yagaragaje, zishingiye ku mategeko cyangwa ku mikorere y’icyaha.
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[16] Avuga ko kugira ngo ukwemera icyaha kwe kube impamvu nyoroshyacyaha, ingingo ya 591 y’Itegeko nº 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange rikurikizwa ubu, ivuga ko ukwemera icyaha kuba impamvu nyoroshyacyaha iyo gukozwe mbere yo gukurikiranwa cyangwa bikozwe mu ntangiriro z’iburanisha ku rwego rwa mbere. Ko kuba Bimenyimana Jean Paul ataragaragaje impamvu nyoroshyacyaha yo kwemera icyaha mu bihe biteganywa n’amategeko yivukije ayo mahirwe, cyane ko atagaragaza impamvu idasanzwe yabimubujije, kuko kuvuga ko abo bari bafunganye aribo bamugiriye inama ko kuburana ahakana icyaha ashinjwa nta shingiro bifite, kuko atari bo bazi uburenganzira bwe n’inyungu ze kumurusha, asaba Urukiko rw’Ubujurire kwemeza ko nta bubasha rufite bwo kuburanisha bwa mbere ukwirega no kwemera icyaha kwe. [17] Yakomeje avuga ko hari n’izindi manza z’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga zemeje ko nubwo ushinjwa yaba yemera icyaha atagabanyirizwa kubera ubugome yakoranye icyaha, nk’urubanza n°RPA 0282/08/CS rwaciwe ku wa 12/03/2010 rwemeje ko kugabanya cyangwa kutagabanya igihano atari itegeko, ko umucamanza ashobora kugabanya cyangwa ntagabanye bitewe n’uburemere bw’icyaha; Urubanza n° RPAA 0021/2014/CS -RPAA 0022/14/CS rwaciwe ku wa 13/10/2017,
1 Umucamanza ashobora kugabanya ibihano nk’iyo: 1º ushinjwa, mbere yo gukurikiranwa, yemeye icyaha akagisabira imbabazi uwo yakoreye icyaha n’umuryango nyarwanda mu buryo budashidikanywa, akicuza kandi akishyura ibyo yangije nk’uko bari babimutegerejeho; 2º ushinjwa yishyikirije urwego rw’ubutabera rubifitiye ububasha, mbere y’uko akurikiranwa cyangwa se mu gihe hatangiye ibikorwa by’ikurikirana; 3º mu ntangiriro z’iburanisha ku rwego rwa mbere, ushinjwa yireze akemera icyaha mu buryo budashidikanywa; 4º icyaha cyakozwe nta ngaruka zikomeye cyateje.
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rwemeje ko nubwo Ntabanganyimana yemera icyaha atagabanyirizwa ibihano bitewe n’ubugome yakoranye icyaha, kandi ibyo bikaba byaranemejwe mu rubanza N°RPA 0282/08/CS rwo kuwa 12/03/2010, aho Urukiko rwemeje ko kugabanya igihano cyangwa kutakigabanyiriza umuburanyi wemeye icyaha atari itegeko ku mucamanza kabone n’iyo yasanga uko kwemera kuzuye; ko mu gihe yasanga hari impamvu iryo gabanyagihano ridakwiye, ashobora kutagabanya igihano2; ko harebwe ubugome Bimenyimana Jean Paul yakoranye icyaha, akurikiranyweho ntawavuga ko akwiye kugabanyirizwa mu gihe yateye uwahohotewe igisongo mu gitsina kikagera muri cm 32. [18] Ku bijyanye n’imyaka ya Bimenyimana Jean Paul umwunganira avuga ko nayo ikwiriye kwitabwaho mu kumugabanyiriza ibihano, Umushinjacyaha avuga ko bigaragara ko yari mukuru, ko kandi n’abandi bagiye bakora icyaha bafite imyaka y’ubukure bagiye bahanwa. Naho ku bijyanye no kuba yahanishwa gukora imirimo nsimburagifungo ifitiye Igihugu akamaro, avuga ko Gereza ya Musanze ifite ubutaka bugari bwa hegitari hafi esheshatu zihingwa hakanororerwa, ko Bimenyimana Jean Paul abishatse yasaba guhinga cyangwa akajya yahirira inka, agakorera Igihugu aho ngaho. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [19] Ingingo ya 114 y’Itegeko Nº 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 nk’uko ryahinduwe n’Itegeko nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, iteganya ko: «Umuntu wese wangiza imyanya ndangagitsina y’undi muntu
2 Icyegeranyo cy’ibyemezo by’Inkiko, nº8, p.15
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aba akoze icyaha. Iyo abihamijwe n’urukiko, ahanishwa igifungo cya burundu“. [20] Ingingo ya 52, igika cya mbere, y‘Itegeko N°30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018, rigena ububasha bw’inkiko iteganya ko: „Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa mbere, imanza zaciwe mu rwego rwa mbere n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi n’Urukiko Rukuru rwa Gisirikare“. Mu gika cyayo cya kabiri, iyo ngingo ya 52 iteganya ko: „Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite kandi ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi n’Urukiko Rukuru rwa Gisirikare, iyo izo manza:...... Naho mu gika cya gatandatu iyo ngingo igira iti: „Imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ntizijuririrwa“. [21] Ingingo ya 183,5o na 6o, y’Itegeko Nº 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/09/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha iteganya ko: ‘’Ubujurire bukorwa mu buryo bw’umwanzuro utanga ikirego, ugaragaza ibi bikurikira: 5o urutonde rw’inenge z’urubanza zisabirwa gukosorwa n’ibindi bibazo bigomba gusuzumwa; 6° ibisobanuro kuri buri nenge cyangwa kuri buri kibazo bigaragaza amakosa yakozwe n’uburyo agomba gukosorwa hashingiwe ku mategeko n’ibimenyetso n’igisabwa urukiko,......’’. [22] Ingingo ya 59 y’Itegeko nº 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange nk’uko ryahinduwe n’Itegeko nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019, iteganya ko: „Umucamanza ashobora kugabanya ibihano nk’iyo: 1°ushinjwa mbere yo gukurikiranwa, yemeye icyaha akagisabira imbabazi uwo yakoreye icyaha n’umuryango nyarwanda mu buryo budashidikanywa, akicuza kandi akishyura ibyo yangije nk’uko
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bari babimutegerejeho; 2º ushinjwa yishyikirije urwego rw’ubutabera rubifitiye ububasha, mbere y’uko akurikiranwa cyangwa se mu gihe hatangiye ibikorwa by’ikurikirana; 3º mu ntangiriro z’iburanisha ku rwego rwa mbere, ushinjwa yireze akemera icyaha mu buryo budashidikanywa; 4º icyaha cyakozwe nta ngaruka zikomeye cyateje“,.... [23] Mu rubanza n° RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS rujuririrwa, Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Musanze, rwasanze (igika cya 10) uretse ubuhamya bwa Nyirakabanza Séraphine, raporo ya muganga yo ku wa 28/09/2018, yakozwe na Dr Nkinzingabo Rusangiza Evariste, isobanura ko Nyirakabanza Séraphine yageze kwa muganga agenda mu buryo bugoranye (difficulté de marcher), yuzuyeho amaraso ku myenda ye yose, abyimbye ku gahanga, hari igiti gishinze mu gitsina cye kugeza kuri 32cm kandi ko byabasabye kumutera ikinya kimusinziriza (anesthésie générale) kugira ngo babone uko bamukuramo icyo giti, ko rushingiye ku ngingo ya 49 y‘Itegeko nº68/2018 ryo kuwa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, rutamugabanyiriza igihano yahawe, ko urubanza yajuririye rutagomba guhinduka. [24] Ku bijyanye no kumenya niba ukwemera icyaha Bimenyimana Jean Paul akoreye bwa mbere muri uru Rukiko rw’Ubujurire kwamubera impamvu nyoroshyacyaha yaherwaho agabanyirizwa igihano, mu rubanza no RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA rwaciwe ku wa 7/5/2021, haburana Ubushinjacyaha na Munyagishari Bernard, mu rubanza no RPAA 00013/2020/CA rw’Ubushinjacyaha na Habiyakare Olivier, urubanza no RPA 00006/2021/CA rw’Ubushinjacyaha na Rusesabagina Paul, Nsabimana Callixt alias Sankara n‘abandi, zose zaciwe n’uru Rukiko n’izindi, Urukiko rw’Ubujurire
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rwemeje ko ukwemera icyaha gushobora kugirira ushinjwa akamaro ari ugukozwe nibura igihe iburanisha ku rwego rwa mbere ritarapfundikirwa. Muri izo manza, uru Rukiko rwavuze ko ushinjwa uvuga ko yemera icyaha mu bujurire yaragihakanye ku rwego rwa mbere bidakwiye kwakirwa kuko yari afite uburenganzira bwo kwemera icyaha agitangira gukurikiranwa ntabukoreshe, bigaragaza ko yahisemo kureka burundu inzira yo kuburana yemera icyaha, rusanga rutagomba kuburanisha ukwemera icyaha bwa mbere mu rwego rw‘ubujurire kuko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rusuzuma inenge (ziri mu rubanza rujuririrwa) uwajuriye yagaragaje, zishingiye ku mategeko cyangwa ku mikorere y’icyaha. Ibi nibyo kandi bihura n’ibiteganywa mu ngingo ya 52, igika cya mbere, y‘Itegeko N°30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018, rigena ububasha bw’inkiko ndetse n‘ingingo ya 183,5o na 6o, y’Itegeko Nº 027/2019 ryo ku wa 19/09/2019 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, zagaragajwe haruguru, zerekana ko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rusuzuma inenge zagaragajwe mu rubanza, ibyo kwemera icyaha agasaba imbabazi no kugabanyirizwa ibihano, Bimenyimana Jean Paul akaba atabizanye imbere y’Urukiko nk’inenge z’Urubanza yajuririye, ahubwo ashaka kubiburana bwa mbere, bikaba bitari mu bubasha bw’uru Rukiko. [25] Ku byo Bimenyimana Jean Paul na Avoka umwunganira bavuga ko yagabanyirizwa ibihano hashingiwe ku murongo watanzwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga w’uko nta gihe ntarengwa cyo kuba umuntu yakwigarura ngo yemere icyaha, bagatanga urugero ho urubanza n° RPAA 0124/09/CS rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 01/06/2012, haburana Ubushinjacyaha na Twizeyimana Isaї, aho rwemeje ko kuba Twizeyimana Isaї agaragaza ko yagaruye umutima ageze mu Rukiko rw`Ikirenga akemera icyaha mu buryo budashidikanywaho byamubera
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impamvu zo kumugabanyiriza igihano n`ubwo yabanje kurushya inkiko agihakana... Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rurasanga uwo murongo warabayeho koko, ndetse warakoreshejwe no mu zindi manza nko mu rubanza n° RPA 0282/08/2008 rw‘Ubushinjacyaha na Nyirangondo Virginie rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw‘Ikirenga ku wa 12/03/2010, aho rwemeje ko kuba yaremeye icyaha atinze ubwabyo bitaba impamvu yatuma atagabanyirizwa igihano kuko nta gihe ntarengwa cyo kuba umuntu yagarura agatima ngo yemere icyaha, ko ahubwo kutakigabanyirizwa byashingira ku bugome bukabije yakoranye icyo cyaha, mu rubanza n°RPA 0246/09/CS rwaciwe ku wa 14/12/2012, Ubushinjacyaha buburana na Mukankusi Victoire3 n’izindi. Rurasanga ariko nyuma y’uko uwo murongo ufashwe, Itegeko nº68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange ryahinduwe n’Itegeko nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019 rigena ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, ryarashimangiye mu ngingo yaryo ya 59, 3o, ko kwemera icyaha gushobora gufatwa nk’impamvu nyoroshyacyaha yashingirwaho ushinjwa agabanyirizwa ibihano ari ugukozwe mu ntangiriro z’iburanisha ku rwego rwa mbere, iyo ushinjwa yireze akemera icyaha mu buryo budashidikanywa. [26] Urukiko rurasanga rero umurongo wari waratanzwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga w’uko kwemera icyaha bwa mbere mu bujurire ubwabyo bitaba impamvu yo kutagabanyirizwa ushinjwa igihano yahawe kuko nta gihe ntarengwa cyo kuba yakwigarura ngo yemere icyaha, mu gihe acyemera ku buryo budashidikanywaho, uwo murongo waravanyweho n’Itegeko nº68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 nk’uko ryahinduwe n’Itegeko
3 Urubanza nº RPA 0246/09/CS, rwaciwe ku wa 14/12/2012 n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, Icyegeranyo cy’ibyemezo by’inkiko, Igitabo cya kabiri 2013, n⁰ 17 cyasohotse muri Mata, 2013
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nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, riteganya ku buryo busobanutse neza (sans équivoque) ko ukwemera icyaha gushobora gushingirwaho nk’impamvu nyoroshyacyaha ari ugukozwe mu ntangiriro y’iburanisha ku rwego rwa mbere. Ni nayo mpamvu Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, rwahawe nyinshi mu nshingano zahoze ari iz’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mbere y’uko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rushyirwaho, ubu rwaretse uwo murongo wari waratanzwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rugakurikiza ibyo Itegeko riteganya, kuko umurongo uwo ariwo wose watangwa n’Urukiko utagomba kunyuranya n’itegeko. Byumvikana ko kudakurikiza uwo murongo atari ukuwirengagiza, ahubwo ni uko wavanyweho n’itegeko ; hanarebwa ububasha bw’Uru Rukiko rugasanga rudafite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ibijyanye no kwemera icyaha bikozwe bwa mbere mu bujurire, bityo iby’uko Bimenyimana Jean Paul yagabanyirizwa ibihano hashingiwe ku kwemera icyaha kwe yifuza gukora bwa mbere mu bujurire bikaba bidashoboka ku mpamvu zasobanuwe. [27] Ku bijyanye n‘uko Bimenyimana Jean Paul yagabanyirizwa ibihano hitawe ku myaka yari afite ubwo yakoraga icyaha, Urukiko rurasanga nk’uko bigaragara muri dosiye, Bimenyimana Jean Paul yaravutse ku wa 01/01/1999, akora icyaha akurikiranyweho ku wa 28/09/2018, afite imyaka 19, bivuze ko yari afite imyaka uwakoze icyaha aba ashobora kugikurikiranwaho nk’umuntu mukuru4. Urukiko rurasanga nk’uko byagiye byemezwa mu zindi manza zaciwe n’uru
4 Reba ingingo ya 2,8° y’Itegeko Nº68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018, nk’uko ryahinduwe n’Itegeko Nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, iteganya ko … umwana: umuntu utarageza ku myaka cumi n’umunani (18) y’amavuko.
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Rukiko5, bishoboka ko umucamanza yagabanyiriza ushinjwa igihano ashingiye no ku kigero yari arimo, nko kuba bigaragara ko ari bwo akiva mu bwana n’ubwo kubw’itegeko aba yujuje imyaka y’ubukure, ariko ibyo ntibishobora kurebwa byonyine, hejuru y’ibyo ushinjwa agomba kuba byibura yaremeye icyaha ku buryo budashidikanywaho kuva agitangira gukurikiranwa cyangwa agitangira kuburanishwa ku rwego rwa mbere, ibyo akaba atariko bimeze kuri Bimenyimana Jean Paul kuko yakomeje guhakana yivuye inyuma icyaha cyo kwangiza imyanya ndangagitsina, ikindi akaba yaragikoranye ubugome bukabije, bityo kuba yarakoze icyaha afite imyaka mike ari bwo akiva mu bugimbi, ubwabyo byonyine bikaba bidahagije ku buryo byashingirwaho agabanyirizwa, ibyo Me Nyirabera Josephine asaba ko uwo yunganira yagabanyirizwa igihano hitawe ko igihe yakoraga icyaha yari muto ikaba nta ishingiro bifite. [28] Kubyo uwunganira Bimenyimana Jean Paul avuga ko yahabwa igihano cy’imirimo y’inyungu rusange, aho fugungwa burundu kuko mubyo igihano kigamije harimo no gukosora, Urukiko rw’Ubujurire, rurasanga nubwo icyo gihano giteganywa mu ngingo ya 35 y’Itegeko nº 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 nk’uko ryahinduwe n’Itegeko nº 69/2019 ryo ku wa 08/11/2019 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange, igika cya 4 cy’iyo ngingo, giteganya ko Iteka rya Perezida ariryo rigena uburyo bwo gukora igihano cy’imirimo y’inyungu rusange, bityo kuba iryo Teka ritarajyaho, ntaho Urukiko rwahera rugena icyo gihano, kuko nta buryo cyashyirwa mu bikorwa.
5 Urubanza no RPAA 00013/2020/CA rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 31/12/2021, haburana Habiyakare Olivier n’Ubushinjacyaha.
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[29] Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rushingiye ku bisobanuro byose byatanzwe, rurasanga nta kigomba guhinduka ku rubanza ° RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Musanze ku wa 11/04/2019, igihano cyo gufungwa burundu Bimenyimana Jean Paul yahawe kikaba kigomba kugumaho. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [30] Rwemeje ko ubujurire bwa Bimenyimana Jean Paul nta shingiro bufite; [31] Rwemeje ko urubanza n° RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urugereko rwa Musanze ku wa 11/04/2019, rudahindutse ; [32] Rutegetse ko amagarama y’urubanza aherera ku isanduku ya Leta, kuko Bimenyimana Jean Paul afunze.
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RWANDA LAW REPORTS ENGLISH VERSION
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TEAM OF EDITORS ................................................................ iii I. LAW REPORTING TEAM ............................................. iii II. MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE ..................... v PREFACE ................................................................................. ix SCOPE OF THE REPORTS ..................................................... xi CITATION ................................................................................ xi LIST OF STATUTES AND STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS CONSIDERED ........................................................................ xiii LIST OF CASES CONSIDERED ............................................ xv SUBJECT INDEX ................................................................... xix RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA ET.AL (ADD) .. 1 METAFOAM LTD v EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC ........ 19 PROSECUTION v RENZAHO ET AL. .................................. 31 RE VALOIS JEAN FELIX ...................................................... 51 NIYONAGIZE v. DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI ........... 61 NSENGIYUMVA V. HAYTON Ltd ....................................... 85 NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc .............................. 105 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA ET. AL.......... 143 NATIONAL BANK OF RWANDA (BNR) v NGEZAHOGUHORA ET AL. .............................................. 167 BATSINDA ET.AL v BIZIMANA ET.AL ........................... 189 PROSECUTION v BIMENYIMANA ................................... 211
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TEAM OF EDITORS
I. LAW REPORTING TEAM
KAGABO U. Stephanie
KAVUTSE M. Claude
KUBWIMANA Jean Claude
MUJABI K. Naphtal
NZAYISENGA Daniel
UWINKINDI Angelique
UWIMANA Jean Marie Vianney
RWAYITARE Eric
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II. MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE
Prof. Dr. NGAGI M. Alphonse : President of the Committee, Judge of the Court of Appeal
Dr. MUHIRE G. Yves : Vice President of the Committee, Lecturer in the School of Law/UR
BWIZA N. Blanche : Secretary of the Committee, Inspector of Courts
RUKUNDAKUVUGA F. Regis : President of Court of Appeal
Dr. KARIMUNDA M. Aimé : Rector of ILPD
HABARUREMA Jean Pierre :
KALIHANGABO Isabelle : President of High Court
Judge of Supreme Court
KALIWABO Charles : Judge of the Court of Appeal
NKURUNZIZA Valens :
BURAYOBERA UMUZAYIRE : Bibiane
Inspector General of Courts Vice-Chairman of Rwanda Law Reform Commission
NSENGIYUMVA Jean Claude : Inspector of Courts
KIBUKA Jean Luc : Judge at Commercial High Court
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NINAHAZWA Roselyne :
Dr. BIDERI Diogène :
Prosecutor at National Level Prosecutor at National Level KABIBI Specioza : State Attorney
MUREREREHE Saouda : Judge at High Court
Lt Col CYUBAHIRO NSENGIYUMVA Narcisse :
Judge at Military Court
Dr. NSHIMIYIMANA Didace : Judge of the High Court
GIRANEZA Clémentine :
Dr MBONIGABA Callixte :
Judge of the Intermediate Court
Lecturer at INES- Ruhengeri
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BAGABO Faustin :
Dr ZIKAMWABAHARI Jean de Dieu :
KARAKE Canisius :
Dr. HABIMANA Pie :
UMUTESI Vestine :
Advocate at Rwanda Bar Association
Lecturer at the University of Kigali Lecturer at UNILAK
Advocate at Rwanda Bar Association Judge of Commercial Court
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PREFACE Dear Readers, We are pleased to present to you the Law Reports Volume 4 [2024]. As usual, we select cases that solve some of the legal issues you encounter, either in your career or in your daily life. This volume contains eleven (11) cases, which includes; one (1) penal case, three (3) civil cases, three (3) labour, three (3) cases relating to jurisdiction of courts and one (1) procedural case. Dr NTEZILYAYO Faustin President of the Supreme Court and President of the High Council of Judiciary
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SCOPE OF THE REPORTS These reports cover cases decided by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
CITATION The Reports in this volume are cited as: [2024] 4 RLR
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LIST OF STATUTES AND STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS CONSIDERED
a. Current laws Law No. 027/2019 of 19/9/2019 relating to criminal procedure, Article 188, paragraph one………………………………..33 Article 183, paragraphs 5 and 6………………………..212 Law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 as modified by Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 determining offences and penalties in general, articles 59 and 114………………………………………………..212 Law N° 66/2018 of 30/08/2018 regulating labour in Rwanda, Article 3……………………………………'………………..64 Article 29………………………………………………….108 Law No 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, Article 52…………………………………………………….21 Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph three (3°)……………………………………………...……………33 Article 55…………………………………………………….65 Article 55………………………………………………….108 Article 52, paragraph one……………………………….212 Law No. 22/2018 of 29/4/2018 relating to civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, Articles 10 and 155……………………………...……….33 Articles 106, 60; 103, 60 and 185…………………………52 Article 111……………...…………………………….......65 Article 12…………………………………………………….87 Article 111………………………………………………...108 Articles 14, 111...………………………………………...146 Article 111………………………………………………...170
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Article 12, 111………………...………………………….191 Law Nº 45/2011 of 25/11/2011 governing contracts, articles 64 and 70………………………………………………………………108 Law N°15/2004 of 12/06/2004 relating to evidence and its production Article 3……………………………………………………...65 Article 3……………………………………………………...87 Article 106………………………………………………...146
b. Repealed laws Organic Law Nº 03/2012/OL of 13/06/2012 determining the organisation, functioning and competence of the Supreme Court, Article 29……………………………………………………………..3 Law N° 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, Article 28…………………………………………………….65 Articles 1, 15, 33 and 47…………………………………87 Articles 21, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33 and 34…………………..108 Law No 06/ 2003 of 22/03/2003 modifying and completing the Decree-law of 22/08/1974 determining Social Security Scheme, article 2…………………………………………………………….87 Law No 51/2001 of 30/12/2001 governing labour in Rwanda, articles 17, 29, and 33………………………………………………88 Decree-Law n° 21/79 of July 23, 1979 relating to expropriation as confirmed by Law n° 01/82 of January 26, 1982…………...191
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LIST OF CASES CONSIDERED Banque Populaire du Rwanda Ltd v. Sekamana Naason et al. RSOCA 00017/2018/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 30/11/2018………………………………………………………...109 Busoro Gervais v Busoro Mugunga Desire et Al., RS/INJUST/RC 00022/2018/SC decided by the Supreme Court on 21/06/2021…………………………………………………………...65 Coopérative de Développement des Anciens Chauffeurs de l’Etat (CODACE) v. Ntaganda, RS/INJUST/RCOM 00006/2021/CA rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/06/2022……………….108 FARAJA Hotel Ltd v. COGEBANQUE Plc, RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 05/03/2021…………………………………………………………...21 FENG Zhigang, Ndayisaba Emmanuel v Mugiraneza Vincent, RC 00002/2022/CA rendered by the Supreme Court on 20/03/2023…………………………………………………………...4 MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd v UNITEX RWANDA Ltd, RCOM 00002/2019/SC rendered by the Supreme Court on 27/09/2019…………………………………………………………...4 Muhirwa et al. v Nzeyimana, RPAA 0021/2016/CS-RPAA 0002/2016/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 12/5/2017…………………………………………………………….33 Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré v. Bank of Kigali Ltd, RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 18/01/2013…108 Ngizweninshuti v. Muhima, RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 21/02/2020……………….170
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Niwemugeni Jeannette v. KCB Bank Rwanda Plc, RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rendered by the Supreme Court on 31/01/2020………………………………………………..65 Nishimwe and other v. Mugenga, RCAA 00031/2016/SC, rendered by the Supreme Court, on 25/09/2019………………170 Ntukamazina Jean Baptiste v. Prime Insurance Ltd (PRIME), RSOCAA 0001&0002/16/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 14/10/2016………………………………………………………...108 Phoenix Metal v. Rwanteli Ntagara Innocent, RSOCAA 0023/09/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on18/06/2010……88 Prosecution v. Habiyakare, RPAA 00013/2020/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 31/12/2021……………………….……..213 Prosecution v. Munyagishari, RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 07/05/2021………….……213 Prosecution v. Rusesabagina and others, RPA 00060/2021/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 04/04/2022………………213 RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd v. Dusabimana, RS/INJUST/RC 00005/2021/SC, rendered by the Supreme Court on 21/01/2022………………………………………………………..170 RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd v COGEBANQUE, RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 04/11/2022…………………………………………………………...21 Rugenera Marc v. Soras Assurances Générales Ltd (SORAS AG), RSOCAA 0003/15/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 05/05/2016………………………………………………………...108 Twagirayezu Alice and others v. Twagirayezu Albert and other, RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2020/SCrendered by the Supreme Court
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on 10/12/2021………………………………………………………..170 UJM CONSULTANCY AND PARTNERS Ltd v KABIRIGI, RCOMAA 00109/2022/CA rendered by Court of Appeal on 23/3/2023…………………………………………………………….33 Umuhoza Annonciata v Ndayisenga Protais, RC 00008/2017/SC rendered by the Supreme Court on 28/09/2018………………….4 Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd v. Niyonsaba Clémentine, RSOCA 00206/2018/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 24/05/2019………………………………………………………...109 Uwimana Marie Paul et al. v. Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd, RSOCA 00224/2018/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 24/05/2019……………………………………….………………...109
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SUBJECT INDEX 1. Civil Procedure law – Disqualification of a judge – Summary procedure – The fact that a judge heard a claim under the summary procedure does not disqualify him/her from hearing the principal claim RE VALOIS JEAN FELIX……………………………51 Warranty against the dispossession of the purchased property – The seller shall warrant the buyer against the dispossession of the purchased property, or he/ she shall refund or request that the buyer is refunded by the one who dispossesses him/her of the purchased property. Furthermore, even in the absence of an explicit warranty clause, the seller shall always warrant the buyer against total or partial dispossession of the purchased property or the seller shall pay the debts on it not communicated to him/her by the time of sale in accordance with the third party’s right on the purchased item NATIONAL BANK OF RWANDA (BNR) v NGEZAHOGUHORA ET AL……………………….167 2. Criminal law – Mitigating circumstance – Guilty plea – Guilty plea that is raised for the first time before an appellate court cannot constitute a mitigating circumstance for the offence since that such contradicts the provision of article 59 of the Law no 68/2018 determining the offences and penalties in general. PROSECUTION v BIMENYIMANA………………211 3. Expropriation procedure law – Expropriation in case of the implementation of the land use master plan – A person who has been granted property by a competent authority, consisting of a house and land, as part of expropriation in I
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public interest, and who has also provided the required compensation, is considered to have been legally granted that property in accordance with the laws governing expropriation, his/her rights over that property, should not be violated BATSINDA ET.AL v BIZIMANA ET.AL………….189 4. Labour procedure law – Employment contract – Termination of employment contract – Burden of proof – In the event of a dispute, the employer who terminated the contract is the one who provides evidence that the employee committed a mistake or engaged in misconduct NIYONAGIZE v. DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI……………………………………………….61 Employment contract – Termination of fixed-term employment contract – Unlawful termination of employment contract is subject to various damages NIYONAGIZE v. DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI………………………………………………61 Employment contract – Worker governed by employment contract – Is considered as worker governed by employment contract, but which is unwritten, any worker who works for a period of at least six consecutive months offering regular services to the same employer – Any worker who alleges to be so considered, must produce elements of evidence proving that he/she has been regularly working under the above mentioned conditions NSENGIYUMVA V. HAYTON Ltd………………….85 Employment contract – Temporary workers – Workers social security contributions – Each worker must have the
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social security contributions paid, even if he/she works in informal sector or is employed for temporary services NSENGIYUMVA V. HAYTON Ltd…………………85 Employment contract – Dismissal for economic reasons – Notifying the labour inspector – Timing of notification to the labour inspector – The labour inspector must be notified of the list of employees to be dismissed for economic reasons prior to the dismissal of employees. The inspector must be given the opportunity to verify that the individuals on the list are indeed those to be dismissed and that the dismissal is being carried out in accordance with the law NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc…………….105 5. Law determining the jurisdiction of courts – Court of Appeal –Second level of appeal – Value of the subject matter – Second appeal cannot be admitted when the value of the subject matter is not monetarily quantifiable METAFOAM LTD v EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC……………………………………………………19 Second appeal – Jurisdiction to hear cases on a second appeal based on a non-existent law – The phrase “a non- existing law” must be understood to refer to a repealed law, a law that has not yet come into effect, or a law that never existed PROSECUTION v RENZAHO ET AL…………..…211 Second appeal – Non-compliance with legal provisions does not justify the admission and hearing on merits of a second appeal, nor does it constitute reliance on a non- existing law; rather, such errors can be addressed through other legal remedies provided by the law. PROSECUTION v RENZAHO ET AL………………31
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6. Laws relating to judicial procedure – Jurisdiction of the courts – The court having jurisdiction over conflicting judgments – It is the Supreme Court that has jurisdiction to resolve the issues related to the final conflicting judgments, this precedent overrules the one that was set in the previous cases RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA ET.AL (ADD)…………………………………………………..1 Conflict of judgments – There is a conflict of judgments when there are different decisions of the courts which are no longer appealable and which cannot be executed concomitantly, the courts seized of the case should ascertain the judgments or the judgment to be annulled RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA ET. AL……………………………………………………143 Conflict of judgments – The judgment is annulled – When the conflict is based on the existence of another case that has been previously decided on the same grounds, on the same subject matter, between the same parties and has been final (autorité de la chose jugée), the second case is annuled and the first one remains intact - When the conflict is based on the fact that there are two irreconcilable cases (deux décisions inconcilables) and cannot be eexecuted concomitantly, one or both of these cases are annulled RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA ET. AL……………………………………………………143 7. Law regulating labour – Employment contract – Termination of indefinite term employment contract – The notice – If the employer opts to convert the notice period into a monetary payment, it is considered that the notice has been
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given, and therefore no additional compensation is required. NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc…..………...105 8. Procedure governing the judgment review on grounds of injustice – Objection that can preclude the hearing of the case on the merits – If the President of the Supreme Court decides that a case should be retried on grounds of injustice, no other inadmissibility objection should be accepted, unless the party can demonstrate exceptional reasons, such as an error in the time limit for filing a claim. NIYONAGIZE v. DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI………………………………………………61
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CASES RELATING TO JURISDICTION OF COURTS
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RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA ET.AL (ADD) [Rwanda SUPREME COURT - RC 00001/2023/SC (Ntezilyayo, P.J., Mukamulisa, Cyanzayire, Hitiyaremye, Karimunda, J.) 28 July 2023] Laws relating to judicial procedure – Jurisdiction of the courts – The court having jurisdiction over conflicting judgments – It is the Supreme Court that has jurisdiction to resolve the issues related to the final conflicting judgments, this precedent overrules the one that was set in the previous cases. Facts: Kahabaye was survived by his three children namely Rutayisire, Umubyeyi and Rutaganda but they were also later survived by Rutaysire. Umubyeyi was married to Kayigana and they had two children who were his heirs represented by his father Kayigana, and Rutanganda also gave birth to two children namely Twagirayezu and Mukankurikiyimana. The heirs of Umubyeyi, represented by Kayigana, filed a case before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo requesting inheritance. After it was confirmed that they were Rutaganda’s children, Twagirayezu and Mukankurikiyimana filed a third party opposition, the Intermediate Court declared that they will also get a share in the inherited property. Rutayisire and his heirs appealed against the judgment before the High Court, which declared that the judgment rendered by the Intermediate Court was overturned because that judgment overruled another final judgment rendered by the Primary Court. Twagirayezu and Mukankurikiyimana appealed to the Supreme 1
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Court and the Supreme Court found that the Intermediate Court had jurisdiction over the case and annulled the judgment rendered by the High Court, upholding the judgment rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge. Rutayisire filed a case before the Court of Appeal praying it to resolve the issue of the conflicting judgments N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on of 07/09/2012 as upheld by judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017, that case was declared inadmissible because among those judgments, there was one which was rendered by the Supreme Court, while the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to resolve the issues relating to conflicting judgments rendered by the lower courts or those it rendered itself. Rutaysire resorted to the Supreme Court requesting it to resolve the issue pertaining to the conflicting judgments, it declared it admissible and considered whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve the issue based on the conflicting judgments. Mukankurikiyimana and Twagirayezu raised the objections of lack of jurisdiction alleging that the claimant wants the Supreme Court to re-examine the judgment RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered previously, which is illegal because it rendered that decision after correctly reading the judgments RC 0140/07/TB/NYB overturned and rendered the decision. He went on to explain that instead the claimant should have applied for judicial review or review on grounds of injustice. Rutaysire contend that that this objection should not be validated because the law that determines the jurisdiction of the courts has not provided for a court that has jurisdiction to resolve the issue of conflicting judgments, but that in the judgment No RC 00008/2017/SC, the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal the jurisdiction over claims related to
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conflicting judgments, so based on that judgment, he had submitted his claim to the Court of Appeal but it was declared inadmissible and found the Supreme Court is the one that has the jurisdiction because it is also the one that set judicial precedents which bind other courts. Held: The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve the issue of final conflicting judgments. Thus, this precedent overrules the one that was set in the judgments previously rendered by this Court including judgment Nº RC 00008/2017/SC and judgment Nº RCOM 00002/2019/SC; therefore, the objection related to the lack of jurisdiction raised has no merit. Objection raised lacks merit. Statutes referred to: Organic Law Nº 03/2012/OL of 13/06/2012 determining the organisation, functioning and competence of the Supreme Court, Article 29. Civil and Commercial Procedure Code of Tunisia, article 175 (5); Code of Civil Procedure of the Kingdom of Morocco. Article 390; Organic Law No. 2008-35 of August 7, 2008 establishing the Supreme Court of Senegal, Title 1, point 3; Law No. 2008-07 of February 28, 2011 on the code of civil, commercial, social, administrative and accounts procedure, article 690. Decree 79-941 1979-11-07 art. 2 JORF November 9, 1979 in force January 1, 1980, article 618.
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Cases referred to: RC 00008/2017/SC, Umuhoza Annonciata v Ndayisenga Protais, rendered by the Supreme Court on 28/09/2018 RCOM 00002/2019/SC, MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd v UNITEX RWANDA Ltd, rendered by the Supreme Court on 27/09/2019; RC 00002/2022/CA, FENG Zhigang, Ndayisaba Emmanuel v Mugiraneza Vincent, rendered by the Supreme Court on 20/03/2023. Legal writings referred to: Rigaux, F., & Dabin, J., The nature of the control of the Court of Cassation, Brussels, Etablissements Émile Bruylant, 1966, p.20; Beim, D., & Rader, K. (2018). Legal Uniformity in American Courts. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, p 16); Hugh Evander Willis, Some Conflicting Decisions of the United States Supreme Court, Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington, p 21; Graeme Cowie, The UK Supreme Court, house of commons library, parliament, UK, 2022, P.12-13; Judgment BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, Umubyeyi Catherine (+) and Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène (+) were Kahabaye Joseph’s children. Two children called Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella were survived by their mother Umubyeyi Catherine. Also, two children named Twagirayezu Béatha and
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Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice were survived by their father Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène.
The heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine, namely Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella, represented by their father Kayigana Jean Baptiste, filed a case before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo, suing Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, requesting for the distribution of the property left by Kahabaye Joseph1.
As per the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008, the Primary Court of Nyamirambo declared that Rutaysire Jean de Dieu share the property of the late Kahabaye Joseph with the heirs of Umubyeyi Batherine, ordering that: i. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu be granted a house with 3 shops at Kivuziza and the plot attached to them, the tree plantation below them, the land in the swamp at Giticyinyoni, the plot located in Nyamirambo at Gatare, the piece of land in Bugesera, the property grabbed by Rutaysire Jean de Dieu, which is worth 10,505,000 FRW. ii. The heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine namely Kayigana Isaro Darlène and Umubyeyi Gabriella, inherit the house of Umubyeyi Catherine’s mother named Mukankusi Antoniya, located at Kivugiza, the rented house located at Nyamirambo on the tarmac road, Kahabaye Joseph's homestead located in Kivugiza, the land located at Zivu and the piece of the land located in Bugesera, and ordered the heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine
1 The case file was registered under no RC 0559/05/TD/NYB/RC 38788/02, and later struck off, the heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine resumed it and was registered under case file no RC 0140/07/TB/NYB.
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to sell the plot of late Kahabaye located at Kicukiro and build the homestead of the deceased.
After the confirmation that they are the Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène’s children by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo as per the judgment No RC 0268/08/TB/NYB - RC 0269/08/TB/NYB rendered on 20/06/2008, Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice filed a third party opposition against the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo, requesting that they also get a share from the property of late Kahabaye Joseph. Their case file was registered under N° RC 0471/09/TB/NYB but it was declared inadmissible, they filed another case before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, requesting to get their father's share from the property of the late Kahabaye Joseph.
As per the judgment No RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012, the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge confirmed that the claim of Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène’s heirs has merit, ordering that: i. Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice were granted a house with 3 shops located at Kivugiza, with the land and a tree farm attached to those shops, a rented house located at Nyamirambo and the land at Zivu. ii. Umubyeyi Catherine's heirs namely Kayigana Isaro Darlène and Umubyeyi Gabriella were granted to inherit the house of Umubyeyi Catherine's named Mukankusi located at Kivugiza, the land in Nyamirambo at Gatare, the land in Bugesera and the land in Kicukiro.
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iii. Rutaysire Jean de Dieu was granted the homestead from the late Kahabaye Joseph at Kivuziza, the land in the Giticyinyoni marshland, and the property he grabbed worth 10,505,000 Frw.
Rutaysire Jean de Dieu and the heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine appealed against the case before the High Court, alleging that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge did not have jurisdiction over the case, and that Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène’s heirs have no interest in requesting a share from the property that no longer exists since the judgment ordering distribution2 had become final.
According to the judgment N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG rendered on 30/12/2013, the High Court, based on the fact that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge did not have the authority to change the decisions of the Primary Court of Nyamirambo in the n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB, yet it was final, confirmed that the case N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE is quashed.
2 Rutayisire Jean de Dieu contended that he had already sold to Sibomana Eugène at 10,000,000 FRW some of the assets he was granted as per the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo on 29/02/2008, those assets are: one house comprising there (03), shops located at Kivugiza, as per the sale contract concluded before the land notary when they were carried out the transfer of property on 02/10/2014. (As per its letter dated 04/01/2019, the National Land Authrority wrote to Mukankurikiyimana who had requested information about UPI 1/01/08/01/356 located at Cyivugiza, informing her that the plot is registered under SIBOMANA Eugène’s names who had bought it from Rutayisire Jean de Dieu).
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Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice appealed to the Supreme Court alleging that they should have a share from the property left by the late Kahabaye Joseph.
As per the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered on 17/03/2017, the Supreme Court found that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge had jurisdiction over the case brought before it, invalidating the judgment N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG, and confirmed the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE.
Rutaysire Jean de Dieu filed a case before the Court of Appeal requesting it to resolve the issue of conflicting judgments, judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/ NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017, the Chief Registrar confirmed that the case is not admissible because among the conflicting judgments, there is one rendered by the Supreme Court, while the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to resolve conflicting judgments rendered by the courts below it or rendered it itself.
Rutaysire Jean de Dieu filed a case immediately before the the Supreme Court requesting it to resolve the issue of the conficting judgments n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE as confirmed by the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court. He alleges that this is the only way to solve the problem of his rights and those of the defendants because they are in conflict over the same property based on 2 final judgments.
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As per their submissions, Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice raised an objection, whereby they alleged that the case filed by the litigants is not admissible because the Supreme Court no longer has jurisdiction over it.
The case was heard in public on 26/06/2023 Rutayisire Jean de Dieu represented by Counsel Niyondora Nsengiyumva and Counsel Nkeza Sempundu Clément, Mukankurikiyinka Béatrice assisted by Counsel Seburikoko Jérémie and also represented by Twagirayezu Béatha, while Umubyeyi Gabriella and Kayigana Darlène were represented by Counsel Habineza Gasore Gilbert, the parties debated the issue of whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the case. II. ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL ISSUE Determining whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve the disputes based on conflicting judgments
Counsel Seburikoko Jérémie representing Twagirayezu Béatha and assisting Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice raised the objection related to the lack of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court alleging that Rutaysire Jean de Dieu seems to be requesting the Supreme Court to re-examine the case n° RCAA 0010/14/CS that it previously decided, yet it is illegal.
He also alleges that the Supreme Court that rendered the judgment first read enough the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB before making a decision, that it is impossible to re-examine the case as long as Rutaysire Jean de Dieu did not apply for judicial review or review on grounds of injustice. He
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also finds that if the problem in this case is related to the resolution of the dispute on the conflicting judgments, this Court would be the one to resolve it, but he asserts that the dispute does not exist.
He goes on to allege that if the court bailiff who intended to execute the judgment on behalf of Rutayisire Jean de Dieu had realized that it was impossible because of the conflicting judgments, he would have made a report so that Rutayisire Jean de Dieu could take it and request that the judgment be reviewed on the grounds of injustice.
Counsel Niyondora Nsengiyumva representing Rutaysire Jean de Dieu alleges that this objection should not be validated because the law that determines the jurisdiction of courts does not specify clearly the court which has jurisdiction to resolve the issue of conflicting judgments, but that in the case No RC 00008/2017/SC, involving Umuhoza Annonciata and Ndayisenga Protais, the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal has the jurisdiction to hear claims related to conflicting cases.
He explains that based on that decision, Rutaysire Jean de Dieu first filed his case before the Court of Appeal, but the Chief Registrar confirmed that his case was not admissible based on the reason that one of the conflicting judgments was decided by the Supreme Court. He says that he agrees with that decision, because the Supreme Court is the one that sets preceden to other courts, that therefore the Court of Appeal should hear only the conflicting judgments rendered by the lower courts.
Counsel Nkeza Sempundu Clément also representing Rutaysire Jean de Dieu, adds that the fact that Mr. Seburikoko
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Jérémie says that the Supreme Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear this case, yet does not indicate another court that has it, invalidates the objection he made.
He goes on to allege that since the Supreme Court is the one that sets the precent which binds other courts, it is the one that should examine this case, but it is done in accordance with the procedure for examining the review on grounds of injustice, then the President of the Supreme Court, when he or she finds that there are conflicting judgments, determines the court that will hear the case.
Counsel Habineza Gasore Gilbert representing Kayigana Isaro Darlène and Umubyeyi Gabriella alleges that Counsel Seburikoko Jérémie ignores the fact that there are 2 judgments on the same subject matter and all of them have become final, that usually the law determines the procedure followed to review a final judgment to annul the decision rendered, but it is not what was done by Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice because instead of following all the procedures as provided for by the law of those, they resorted to filing a new case in a court different from the one that had decided the case before.
He goes on to allege that there are two (2) conflicting judgments that have become final because there are properties granted to Rutayisire Jean de Dieu in the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYBO and in the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE which were decided on 07/09/2012 which was confirmed in the judgment No. RCAA 0010/14/CS that the same property was again given to Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice, yet they were confirmed as the heirs of Kahabaye Joseph after the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB, the Supreme Court is the very court that can
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resolve the issue of the conflicting judgments rendered by the courts, allowing each of them to know the property he or she must win. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Regarding the issue of conflicting judgments, article 29 of the Organic Law nº 03/2012/OL of 13/06/2012 determining the organisation, functioning and competence of the Supreme Court, which provided that this Court is the one that has jurisdiction to resolve it. After the revision of the law related to the Judiciary in 2018, including Law No. 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, which is currently in force, concerning the jurisdiction to resolve the issue of conflicting judgments, it was not provided for in that law, which means that no court was given that jurisdiction.
As per the judgment nº RC 00008/2017/SC rendered on 28/09/2018 anvolving Umuhoza Annonciata and Ndayisenga Protais, the Supreme Court found that the fact that the jurisdiction to examine claims related to the conflicting judgments is not provided for in Law Nº 30/2018 of on 02/06/2018, is not due to the fact that the legislator wanted those claims to remain unresolved, but were rather forgotten.
It set the precedent that these cases should be heard by the Court of Appeal, based on the fact that that Court was given almost all the jurisdictional powers that were held by the Supreme Court, and now has kept only special jurisdiction. This precedent was reaffirmed by this Court in the judgment nº RCOM 00002/2019/SC rendered on 27/09/2019 involving MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd and UNITEX RWANDA Ltd.
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As seen in various cases, the Court of Appeal relied upon this precedent and began to declare admissible and consider the cases related to conflicting judgments3 including cases decided by the Supreme Court, such as case No RC 00001/2021/CA whereby the Court of Appeal considered the conflict between the judgment Nº RCOMAA 0043/15/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 24/06/2016 and the judgment Nº RCOMA 00412/2018 /HCC rendered by the High Commercial Court on 20/09/2018, involving SAILER ENERGY UG-PARTNERSHIP Ltd and ECOBANK RWANDA Plc.
As mentioned above, based on the precedent set by the Supreme Court that has already been elucidated, Rutayisire Jean de Dieu filed the case before the Court of Appeal, concerning conflicting judgments because the properties that he was granted by the final judgment N° RC 0140/07 /TB/NYBO, the same properties were granted to Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice in the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE and confirmed by judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS. The Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal replied that his case was not admissible because among the judgments alleged to be conflicting, there was one judgment rendered by the Supreme Court, and that the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to resolve the issues of the conflicting judgments provided that they were renderd by lower courts or by the Court of Appeal itself.
After Rutaysire Jean de Dieu filed a case before this Court, him and his representative claim that no other court can
3 For instance, judgment n° RCOM 00001/2019/CA involving MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd v UNITEX RWANDA Ltd rendered on 03/07/2020, judgment nº RC 00002/2022/CA rendered on 20/03/2023, involving FENG Zhigang, Ndayisaba Emmanuel v Mugiraneza Vincent and so many others.
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hear the case related to the conflicting judgments as long as when the contentious judgments include the one rendered by the Supreme Court.
As elucidated above, the aforementioned Organic Law No. 03/2012/OL of 13/06/2012 vested the Supreme Court with the power to resolve the conflict arising from final judgments, but in the new Law Nthe 30/2018 dated 02/06/2018 also mentioned above, no court has such jurisdiction.
The Court finds that although it had set the precedent that the Court of Appeal is the one that should try these cases, there is still a question as to whether that Court is really the one that should have this power as it is now.
In order to resolve this issue, it is worth looking at the practice in other countries. In France4 and in Belgium5,, the case related to the conflicting judments is referred to the Court of Cassation, the highest in those countries. In countries like the
4 Article 618 of Decree 79-941 1979-11-07 art. 2 JORF November 9, 1979 in force January 1, 1980: conflicting judgments may also, by way of derogation from the provisions of article 605, be invoked when two decisions... are irreconcilable and none of them is subject to an ordinary appeal; the cassation case is then admissible, even if one of the decisions had already been subject to a cassation and this had been rejected... 5 Rigaux, F., & Dabin, J., The nature of the control of the Court of Cassation, Brussels, Etablissements Émile Bruylant, 1966, p.20 (the conflict of judgments is one of the causes for file a case for cassation).
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United States of America6 and United Kingdom7, the Supreme Court as the highest Court, is the one to resolve the issue.
In some African countries like Tunisia8, Morocco9 in case there are conflicting judgments, they are referred to the Court of Cassation. While in Senegal10 of Benin11, the Supreme Court has that jurisdiction.
The examples that have been given above have in common the fact that the issues related to the conflict of cases are resolved by the highest court in the country. The Court finds that
6 In United States federal courts, a circuit split arises when two or more different circuit courts of appeals provide conflicting rulings on the same legal issue…. the Supreme Court grants review of a case to resolve a circuit split (Beim, D., & Rader, K. (2018). Legal Uniformity in American Courts. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, p 16). See also Hugh Evander Willis, Some Conflicting Decisions of the United States Supreme Court, Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington, p 21. 7 Graeme Cowie, The UK Supreme Court, house of commons library, parliament, UK, 2022, P.12-13 8 Article 175 (5) of the Civil and Commercial Procedure Code of Tunisia: “The cassation is only open against judgments rendered as a last resort only in the following cases If there is conflict between judgments rendered as a last resort arises between the same parties, on the same object and for the same cause”. 9 Article 390 of the Code of Civil Procedure of the Kingdom of Morocco: "In case of conflict between judgments or rulings that have become irrevocable emanating from different courts or courts of appeal, the Court of Cassation...may annul without referral one of the two decisions before it”. 10 See Title 1, point 3 of Organic Law No. 2008-35 of August 7, 2008 establishing the Supreme Court of Senegal, available at http://v1.ahjucaf.org/Loi-organique-no-2008-35- du-7-aout.html, visited on 07/14/2023 (The Supreme Court, the highest instance of the judiciary in Senegal, has other powers: it adjudicates .., the conflicts of judgments). 11 See article 690 of law No. 2008-07 of February 28, 2011 on the code of civil procedure. Commercial, social, administrative and accounts.
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the above-mentioned Organic Law No. 03/2012/OL of 13/06/2012 had vested the Supreme Court with the jurisdiction to resolve the disputes related to conflicting judgment, which was in line with what is currently in force in other countries. And as this Court elucidated it in the previously mentioned cases, the fact that Law No. 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 already mentioned, did not give any court the authority to examine the cases related to conflicting judgments, is that it was simply forgotten.
The court also finds that in case the judgments rendered by the Supreme Court are in conflict with each other or in conflict with the final judgments rendered by the lower courts as is in this case, the Supreme Court should consider the issue, especially since it is the one that sets the precedents tha binds other courts12.
Based on the explanations mentioned above, the Supreme Court finds that it has jurisdiction to resolve the issue of the conflicting judgments which had become final. Thus, this precedent overrules the one that was set in cases previously decided by this Court, including judgment no RC 00008/2017/SC rendered on 28/09/2018 involving Umuhoza Annonciata v
12 Regarding the fact that the Supreme Court is the highest court and sets a precedent that binds other courts, it was explained in the judgment no RS/INJUST/RC 00026/2022/SC, where this Court relied on the existing precedent in the judgment no Case No. RS/INCONST/SPEC 00002/2019/SC, which showed that in the functioning of the courts, they respect the principles based on compliance with the precedent set (stare decisis), every court must respect the precedent set on a certain issue or the precedent set by the superior court on that issue... and the Supreme Court as the highest court, which is also the main source of the precedents which bind other courts, is also the reason for its special nature, which allows it to have jurisdiction over all types of cases filed before the courts in order to be able to provide them with a precedent that guides other courts in deciding cases.
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Ndayisenga Protais and judgment no RCOM 00002/2019/SC rendered on 27/09/2019 involving MININTCO Ltd, DRESOCECO Ltd v UNITEX RWANDA Ltd.
After the explanations that have just been provided, the Court finds that the objection related to the lack of the court’s jurisdiction raised by Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice and Twagirayezu Béata is irrelevant, therefore, the Supreme Court is the one that has jurisdiction to examine the issue of conflicting judgments N° RC 0140/ 07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE which was rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Declares that the objection raised related to the Supreme Court’s lack of jurisdiction is irrelevant;
Declares that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve contradictions that arise among judgement rendered at the last instance ;
Declares that the Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to examine the issue of conflict arising among judgements n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on of 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017.
Declares that the hearing of the case on the merits will be held on 20/11/2023.
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19 METAFOAM LTD v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC
METAFOAM LTD v EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLC [Rwanda COURT OF APPEAL- RCOMA 00038/2023/CA (Ngagi, P.J.) 19 October 2023] Law determining the jurisdiction of courts – Court of Appeal – Second level of appeal – Value of the subject matte r– Second appeal cannot be admitted when the value of the subject matter is not monetarily quantifiable. Facts:METAFOAM Ltd contracted a bank loan of one billion and four hundred million (1,400,000,000 Frw) from EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc, including the money meant for redeeming the loan that METAFOAM Ltd had previously obtained from COGEBANQUE and working capital; however, EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc redeemed only COGEBANQUE’s loan, it did not grant to it the funds for working capital so that it faced the economic problems which impeded its commercial activities and failed to reimburse the loan which was accruing. Such a situation made METAFOAM Ltd to file a claim before the Commercial Court whereby it requested the Court to issue an order for initiating the process of Company’s reorganisation, and appointing the provisional administrator. The Court heard the case and held that the filed claim is unfounded since the Company was found bankrupt. The Court ordered to the chief administrator to proceed with the distribution of METAFOAM’s assets to its creditors. METAFOAM Ltd appealed against the above ruling before the Commercial High Court and argued that once given some more 19
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time and with reference to the submitted reorganisation plan, it will be able to repay all the due debts; it also requested to the Court to suspend the hearing of this very case till the verdict on the criminal case RP/ECON 00036/2023/TGI/NGYE in which it sued EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc for fraud, forgery, money laundering, and tax evasion, with the intervention of various persons. The Commercial High Court heard the case and held that the appeal is ungrounded and held that the judgment rendered by the Commercial Court is sustained, it upheld that the handed ruling should be executed. METAFOAM Ltd appealed against the above ruling before the Court of Appeal. The respondent raised an objection over the Court of Appeal’s lack of jurisdiction on basis of the value of the subject matter, it argued that the litigation matter is about the reorganisation and the reorganisation case, it is examined whether the claimant has capacity to operate for being reorganised; therefore, the capacity should be analysed or determine whether it has capital. It argued that the plaintiff’s appeal is not admissible, more so that the previous court found that the company has no financial means for its business reorganisation. METAFOAM Ltd reacted on the raised objection because the fact that the previous courts held that it has no capacity to reimburse the loan amounting to 4, 028, 168,565 Frw is enough to prove that its appeal falls within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal. It states that the litigation issue is the company’s business reorganisation, and that all the disputes revolve around the claimed bank loan and related collaterals.
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Held: The second appeal cannot be admitted when the value of the subject matter is not monetarily quantifiable. Objection sustained. Statutes referred to: Law No 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, article 52. Cases referred to: RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA; FARAJA Hotel Ltd v. COGEBANQUE Plc, rendered by the Court of Appeal on 05/03/2021; RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA; RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd v COGEBANQUE rendered by the Court of Appeal on 04/11/2022. Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
In 2016, METAFOAM Ltd borrowed EQUITY BANK Plc a loan of one billion and four hundred million (1, 400,000,000 Frw) which includes one billion and eighty million (1,080,000,000 Rwf) for redeeming the loan owed to COGEBANQUE, while the remaining three hundred million (300,000,000 Frw) was meant for working capital, however the Bank only redeemed the loan, and never disbursed funds for the borrower’s working capital, such situation led it to face the economic problems which impeded its commercial activities.
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METAFOAM Ltd explains that EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc later secured for it a foreign loan of two million seven hundred and fifty thousand US dollars (2,750,000 USD) from TLG and another foreign loan of three million and two hundred and thirty five thousand US dollars (3, 235,000 USD) from LAMAR, but still it never grant to it the agreed working capital so that it failed to reimburse the loan that accrued the company’s debt until it reached at three billion nine hundred forty-five million four hundred twenty-eight thousand and two hundred twenty-nine ( 3, 945, 428, 229 Frw). It is such a situation that made METAFOAM Ltd to lodge a claim with the Commercial Court whereby it requested to the Court to order for METAFOAM reorganization and the appointment of a provisional administrator.
On 28/04/2022, METAFOAM Ltd submitted its business reorganization plan, it stated that once the Court approves the plan and grants to it a period of 6 months, appoints a provisional administrator, the Company would reorganize its business and repay the loan owed to the Bank.
EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc voluntarily intervened in the case for safeguarding its interests related to the loan owed to it by METAFOAM which should indicate its capacity to repay. It submits that for METAFOAM Ltd to be granted with the requested moratorium time for its business reorganization, it must provide assurance and produce tangible evidence of its capacity to reimburse the loan.
On 23/12/2022, the Commercial Court held that the request of METAFOAM Ltd for initiating the process for its reorganization and appointing the Company’s provisional administrator is unfounded since METAFOAM Ltd has already
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gone bankrupt and it has no basic capital that would serve for its business reorganization; and it has no funds for paying the insolvency proceeding, including the provisional administrator’s remuneration. The Court ordered to the chief administrator to proceed with the distribution of the Company’s assets to its creditors. The Court held that the counterclaim filed by EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc for counsel fee of two million (2,000,000 Frw) and procedural fee of one million (1,000,000 Frw) is groundless.
METAFOAM Ltd appealed against the above ruling before the Commercial High Court, and prayed to the Court to honor their request for initiating the process for the company’s business reorganization scheme, arguing that once METAFOAM Ltd is granted some moratorium time period, and with reference to the company’s submitted business reorganization plan, there is hope for regaining the company’s solvency. METAFOAM Ltd also requested to the Court to temporarily suspend the current case till the verdict of the criminal case RP/ECON 00036/2023/TGI/NYGE for which EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc has been indicted for the offences of fraud, forgery, money laundering, and tax evasion. METAFOAM Ltd has also requested to the Court to order for forced intervention of HAKIZIMANA Jean Bosco, BAHATI Vanessa together with HABATU MINING CAMPANY Ltd that provided the guarantee for its benefits since it might have effects on them while they have not been parties to the case.
EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc argues that METAFOAM’s appeal is unfounded, stating that the Commercial Court examined the submitted evidence and found that the Company has gone bankrupt and METAFOAM Ltd has
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so far not been able to rebut such a stance. EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc concluded the submission by requesting to the Court to rectify some errors featuring in the copy of the appealed judgement, and it also prayed the Court to examine whether the Commercial Court should not repay to it the damages for the incurred expenses.
In the judgment RCOMA 00768/2022/HCC rendered by the Commercial High Court on 22/06/2023, the Court held that the appeal filed by METAFOAM Ltd is unfounded, the judgment RCOM 00817/2022/TC is sustained, and in the appealed judgment, the judgment number RCOM 1385/2020/TC is rectified and became RCOM 00817/2022/TC. It ordered that the ruling of the judgment RCOM 00817/2022/TC should be executed, as METAFOAM has no basic capital for reorganization of its business, it has no funds for insolvency proceeding including the provisional administrator’s remuneration, that METAFOAM is bankrupt, it ordered to the chief administrator to proceed with the distribution of the Company’s assets to its creditors. The Court ordered to METAFOAM Ltd to pay to EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc one million and two hundred thousand (1, 200,000 Frw) for both counsel fee and procedural fee, and the Court ordered that the forty thousand Rwandan francs (40,000 Frw) deposited by METAFOAM Ltd for the appeal filing should be borne to the Public Treasury.
METAFOAM Ltd appealed against the above ruling before the Court of Appeal. Its appeal was docketed as RCOMAA 00038/2022/CA. The hearing was held on 04/10/2023, METAFOAM Ltd was represented by Counsel RUGWIZANGOGA Marcellin, EQUITY BANK RWANDA PLc was represented by Counsel KAREMERA Frank while
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HABATU MINING COMPANY was not represented since Counsel MUTWARE NGARUYINKA Innocent, had informed the Court of his sickness; and the hearing was then adjourned to 11/10/2023. On that date, the hearing was conducted in public with all the involved parties represented by the lawyers as above mentioned. The Court first heard the issue related to the objection raised by EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc on this Court’s lack of jurisdiction due to the value of the subject-matter, and to the fact that METAFOAM Ltd had lost the case in the lower courts for the same reasons. II. ANALYSIS OF THELEGAL ISSUES 1. Whether the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear this appeal on basis of the value of the subject-matter
The Counsel of EQUITY BANK RWANDA made a reference to sub-paragraph 8 of paragraph 2 of article 52 of the Law n0 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, and raised an objection over the Court of Appeal’s lack of jurisdiction for the matter; and he states that the appeal of METAFOAM Ltd should not be admitted as the subject-matter is the reorganization, yet for reorganization, there must be an examination of the capacity of METAFOAM Ltd to operate and be reorganized , there must be an examination of financial means and its working capital; due to the fact that the lower courts found it does not have means for reorganization, its appeal should not be admitted since it does not fall within this Court’s jurisdiction.
METAFOAM’s counsel pleads about the raised objection, and argues that the objection is unfounded and with reference to sub-paragraph 8 of paragraph 2 and even paragraph
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4 of article 52 of the above mentioned Law, he notes that the fact that the lower courts found that METAFOAM Ltd is insolvent for a debt of 4,028,168,565 Frw is enough to prove that the company’s appeal is under the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal. He adds that the subject-matter of this case the reorganization, and the debate revolves around the outstanding debt and related collaterals.
The counsel for HABATU MINING COMPANY submits that HABATU MINING COMPANY commits to give to METAFOAM Ltd a sum of two hundred million (200,000,000 Frw) for supporting METAFOAM Ltd in the payment of a debt owed to EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc, but he does not equate the above sum with the value of the subject-matter. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
The debate for the raised objection revolves around whether the appeal of METAFOAM Ltd should not be admitted due to the fact that the appeal is a request for the reorganization of the business of METAFOAM Ltd and such is the reason for which its appeal does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal.
Sub-paragraph 8 of paragraph 2 of article 52 of the Law n0 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts provides the following: “The Court of Appeal has also jurisdiction to try at the second level of appeal cases tried by the High Court, the Commercial High Court and Military High Court, if such cases: 8° have ordered the award of damages of at least seventy-five million Rwandan francs (FRW 75,000,000) or
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in case of disagreement between the parties, the same amount is ordered by the judge”.
The case file indicates that METAFOAM Ltd lodged a claim before the Commercial Court, and prayed the Court to issue an order for initiating the process for the company’s business reorganization, and it also requested to the Court to appoint the company’s provisional administrator.
For the issue concerning the fact that the party who filed a claim by requesting for the reorganization of its business and whose due debt is above 75,000,000 Frw, is a ground for the Court of Appeal to have the jurisdiction of hearing the case, the Court finds that such issue has been examined in the case RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA rendered by this very Court on 05/03/2021 with FARAJA Hotel v. COGEBANQUE Plc whereby the Court held that the request for ordering the process for the company’s business reorganization made by FARAJA Hotel Ltd right away from the Commercial Court had no monetary value, explaining that the request could not be confused with a sum of 900,000,000 Frw owed by FARAJA Hotel Ltd to COGEBANQUE Plc; because COGEBANQUE Plc voluntarily intervened into the case without claiming for the debt repayment, such debt did not cause an disputes between parties before the lower courts, and no lower court has ever heard a case over the above debt; and the court therefore held that COGEBANQUE’s objection on the court’s lack of jurisdiction was founded. The same position was set by this Court in the case RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA rendered on 04/11/2022 in which the parties were RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING v. COGEBANQUE Plc.
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With regard to this case, the Court finds that, the fact that METAFOAM Ltd seized the court requesting for an order to initiate the process of the company’s business reorganization, and for the appointment of the Company’s provisional administrator; EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc intervened in the case by submitting that for the approval of reorganization, anyone requesting for the reorganization must inspire assurance for the company’s prospective solvency; the fact that the debt owed by METAFOAM to EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc is not the subject-matter in this case, rather the subject-matter is the reorganization the appeal of METAFOAM should not be admitted because it does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal since the company’s business reorganization has no monetary value, and it cannot be confused with the debt owed by METAFOAM Ltd to EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc, or the value of the collaterals mortgaged as METAFOAM Ltd puts it forth.
The Court finds that it is no longer necessary to examine the objection related to the fact that METAFOAM Ltd lost the case in the lower courts for the same reasons since the Court has already found that it has no jurisdiction to hear the case due to the value of the subject-matter. 2. Whether the procedural fee and the counsel fee claimed in this case can be granted.
Basing on the article 111 of the Law n0 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, the counsel of EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc requests to the Court of Appeal to order to METAFOAM Ltd to pay to EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc a sum of one million and five hundred thousand (1,500,000 Frw|)
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that include five hundred thousand (500,000 Frw) for the procedural fee, and one million (1,000,000 Frw) for the counsel fee. He also argues that the damages claimed by HABATU MINING COMPANY has no justification.
The counsel of METAFOAM Ltd pleads about the damages claimed by EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc and submits that they have no justification.
The counsel of HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd prayed the Court to order to EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc to pay to HABATU MINING COMPANY three million (3,000,000 Frw) that include moral damages, the procedural fee and the counsel fee, because it is the root cause of the case by committing offences related to METAFOAM’s loan so that the courts were seized and HABATU MINING COMPANY intervened in the case. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 111 of the Law n0 22/2018 of 28/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labor and administrative procedure provides the following: “The claim for representation fees is an incidental claim to the principal claim aiming to repay expenses incurred during judicial proceedings. The claim for legal costs is adjudicated at the same time with the principal claim. It can also be admitted and adjudicated even if the principal claim has not been admitted”
The Court finds that, due to the fact METAFOAM appealed for the second time before this Court led EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc to hire the lawyer for representing it in the
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case, and it incurred some expenses for the follow-up of the case; therefore, the procedural fee and the counsel fee claimed to be paid to it by METAFOAM Ltd are founded, but the claimed fees are excessive as the case is limited on the objection; in its discretion, it grants to it 500,000 Frw for counsel fee, and 200,000 Frw for procedural fee.
The Court finds that the moral damages claimed by HABATU MINING COMPANY cannot be examined in this case is limited on the objection related to the lack of jurisdiction, while the procedural and counsel fees claimed by METAFOAM Ltd and HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd are unfounded, as the objection raised by EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc is grounded. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Holds the objection raised by EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc for this court’s lack of jurisdiction is founded.
Holds that the appeal filed by METAFOAM Ltd is not admitted since it does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal.
Orders to METAFOAM Ltd to pay to EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc five hundred thousand (500,000 Frw) for counsel fee, and two hundred thousand (200,000 Frw) for procedural fee at this instance.
Rules that the deposited court fee covers the expenses of proceedings.
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PROSECUTION v RENZAHO ET AL. [Rwanda COURT OF APPEAL – RPAA 00322- 00323/2022/CA (Gakwaya P.J.) April 26, 2023] Laws determining the jurisdiction of courts – Second appeal – Jurisdiction to hear cases on a second appeal based on a non- existent law – The phrase “a non-existing law” must be understood to refer to a repealed law, a law that has not yet come into effect, or a law that never existed. Laws determining the jurisdiction of courts – Second appeal – Non-compliance with legal provisions does not justify the admission and hearing on merits of a second appeal, nor does it constitute reliance on a non-existing law; rather, such errors can be addressed through other legal remedies provided by the law. Facts: At the first instance, the case was heard by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge. The Prosecution charged the accused with multiple crimes, including forgery and use of forged documents, fraud, concealment of evidence, and selling or pledging as security the property of another person. These charges arose after a company, Haipu Resources Ltd, extended a loan of USD 600,000 to FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, which in turn pledged its shares and equipment as collateral. The Prosecution alleged that FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd subsequently sought another loan from a bank, again pledging the same equipment previously pledged to Haipu Resources Ltd. Additionally, the Prosecution claimed that, in an attempt to divert funds from FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd to bankrupt Haipu Resources Ltd, the accused forged a contract falsely stating that FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd had purchased three 31
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mining excavators from Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, though this transaction never occurred. Except for Mukamusoni, the remaining accused were found guilty and sentenced by the Intermediate Court. Renzaho and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd appealed to the High Court, which ultimately acquitted them of all charges. The Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd were dissatisfied with the judgment and appealed to the Court of Appeal. Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd objected to the admissibility of the second appeal lodged by the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, arguing that, in criminal cases, the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal is determined solely by the term of the sentence imposed. They contended that the Court of Appeal only hears second-instance cases where a sentence of imprisonment of at least fifteen (15) years has been imposed. The Prosecution responded to the objections, arguing that its appeal is based on Article 52, paragraph 2, subparagraph 3 of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018. It contended that the High Court relied on a non-existent law when it quashed the judgment of the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge and declared not guilty individuals who had not been tried by the previous court. FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd also responded to the objections, stating that its appeal was based on Article 52, paragraph 2, subparagraph 3 of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018, which pertains to cases based on a non-existent law, and argued that the High Court exceeded the scope of the appeal. Held: 1. The phrase “a non-existent law” must be understood to refer to a repealed law, a law that has not yet come into effect, or a law that never existed.
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2. Non-compliance with legal provisions does not justify the admission and hearing of a second appeal on its merits, nor does it constitute reliance on a non-existent law; rather, such errors can be addressed through other legal remedies provided by the law. The objection sustained Statutes and statutory instruments referred to: Law No. 027/2019 of 19/9/2019 relating to criminal procedure, Article 188, paragraph one; Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph three (3°); Law No. 22/2018 of 29/4/2018 relating to civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, Articles 10 and 155. Cases referred to: RPAA 0021/2016/CS-RPAA 0002/2016/CS, Muhirwa et al. v Nzeyimana, rendered by the the Supreme Court on 12/5/2017. RCOMAA 00109/2022/CA, UJM CONSULTANCY AND PARTNERS Ltd v KABIRIGI rendered by Court of Appeal on 23/3/2023
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Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
This case began at the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, where the Prosecution charged Jiang Haifeng, Jiang Haisheng, Renzaho Alexis, Mukamusoni Berthe, and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, represented by Gao-Li, with the crimes of forgery and use of forged documents, fraud, concealment of evidence, and selling or pledging as security property belonging to another person. The Prosecution alleged that on 3/1/2019, while in China, Fuxin Mine Development Company Ltd and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, operating in Kayenzi in the Southern Province and represented by Jiang Haisheng, entered into a loan agreement with a Hong Kong-based company, Haipu Resources Ltd, owned by Chen Yanhong and represented by Wu Wujue. Under this agreement, Haipu provided FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd with a loan of USD 600,000. FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd pledged as security 80% of its shares and agreed to transfer all equipment ownership to Chen Yanhong. Additionally, Haipu Resources Ltd purchased the remaining 20% of FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd's shares for 116,000,000 Frw, making Chen Yanhong the sole owner of all shares, with the stipulation that management of FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd would remain with the previous management (collateral/pledge).
The Prosecution further alleges that, upon their arrival in Rwanda on 22/3/2019, FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd applied for a loan from Bank of Africa amounting to 220,000,000 Frw, again pledging the equipment that had already been pledged to Haipu Resources Ltd. Additionally, on 30/1/2019, Renzaho
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Alexis, the Operations Manager and Translator at FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, along with Jiang Haisheng (Chairperson), Mukamusoni Berthe (Managing Director), and in collaboration with Jiang Haifeng, a representative of Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, allegedly forged a contract in Kinyarwanda. This contract, which involved Renzaho Alexis, falsely stated that FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd had purchased three mining excavators from Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd for two hundred forty-three thousand three hundred United States dollars (USD 243,300). However, these excavators did not exist, as Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd had already pledged them to the bank. This scheme, purportedly designed to help Jiang Haisheng extort money from Haipu Resources Ltd, aimed to drain FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd's funds to financially harm Haipu Resources Ltd and Chen Yanhong, a shareholder in FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, under the pretense that the money would finance company operations.
The Prosecution further states that, on 2/7/2019, to better structure their plan, Jiang Haisheng and his brother Jiang Haifeng forged a cancellation of the contract for the purchase of the excavators, which they both signed. When this forgery was discovered and an investigation began, the two fled with the assistance of Renzaho Alexis. Renzaho allegedly helped them conceal the original forged contract dated 30/1/2019, as he only presented a photocopy of it after their departure. This copy was sent to the Rwanda Forensic Laboratory, which reported that it could not analyze the contract because it was a scanned copy and that it could only test original documents.
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In this case, FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, represented by Counsel Nzirabatinyi Fidèle, filed a civil claim for damages, requesting the Court to order to Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis, and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd to return the sum of two hundred forty-three thousand three hundred U.S. dollars (243,300 USD), which they allegedly withdrew fraudulently for the purchase of vehicles. They also seek interest at 18% for a period of one year and nine months, amounting to 76,639 USD ; moral damages of 20,000,000 Frw; as well as counsel, procedural, and court fees totaling 5,000,000 Frw.
Renzaho Alexis pleaded not guilty to all charges, explaining that the contract dated 30/1/2019 was made between FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd and was submitted to him on 1/6/2019 for scanning and sending to Chen Xi, representing Chen Yanhong. He clarified that only the Chairperson, Managing Director, or an authorized representative could sign on behalf of the Company, emphasizing that he was not authorized to do so.
Mukamusoni Berthe pleaded not guilty to the charge of forgery, stating that the alleged contract in question was concluded while she was not at work. She explained that it is her colleague, Renzaho Alexis, who had informed her that their employer was planning to buy excavators, but she had no prior knowledge of this purchase and had no involvement with the company's finances.
Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, and Paragone Mining Industry Co Ltd, represented by Gao-Li, did not enter a plea as they were tried in absentia. They were summoned during the investigation but failed to appear, and their case file was prepared
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without their interrogation, subsequently submitted to the Court as fugitives. They were also summoned via electronic mail (email) to their respective addresses but did not respond. Given that they are co-accused with others in this case, their fugitive status does not justify delaying the prosecution of their co- accused. Accordingly, a decision was made to proceed with the trial in accordance with Article 167 of Law No. 027/2019 of 19/9/2019 relating to criminal procedure, which reads that the prosecution of the accused fugitive does not in any way whatsoever stay or delay the prosecution of his or her co-accused who are identified.
In judgment No. RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE, rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge on 30/3/2021, the Court ruled that Mukamusoni Berthe was not guilty of the crimes charged. However, Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis, and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd were found guilty of forging, falsifying, or using forged documents. Additionally, Jiang Haisheng and Renzaho Alexis were found guilty of concealing evidence and selling or pledging as security property belonging to another person. The Court held that the crimes committed by Jiang Haisheng and Renzaho Alexis constituted an ideal concurrence. Consequently, Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, and Renzaho Alexis were each sentenced to seven (7) years of imprisonment and fined five million francs (5,000,000 Frw).
The Court ordered that Renzaho Alexis should be arrested and detained immediately upon the pronouncement of the judgment and ordered to Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd to pay a fine of five million francs (5,000,000 Frw). It further ordered that the assets of Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng,
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and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd should be seized for the payment of the ordered amount, should the judgment become final. Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, Renzaho Alexis, and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd were jointly (in solidum) ordered to refund FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd two hundred and forty-three thousand three hundred U.S. dollars (243,300 USD). Additionally, they were ordered to jointly pay to FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd twenty million francs (20,000,000 Frw) as moral damages. The Court also ordered to them to jointly refund FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd for counsel fee, procedural fee, and court fee totaling one million two hundred and twenty thousand francs (1,220,000 Frw).
Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd were not satisfied with the judgment and therefore appealed to the High Court. Renzaho Alexis argued that, as an ordinary employee, he could not be held responsible for the original contract because it was the owners of the companies concerned who asked him to scan it, and he did so, but there was no evidence that he kept the original copy. He further argued that no damages should be claimed because he did not commit any crime, and that the claim should not even have been admitted for consideration, as these damages had previously been claimed before the commercial courts. He contended that the 20,000,000 Frw in damages should not have been determined because there exists no moral damage for a legal entity, and that other damages were also determined without evidence. Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, represented by Counsel Ndahimana Jean Bosco, claimed that they were found guilty of forgery without presentation of undoubtful evidence.
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Counsel Ndahimana Jean Bosco, representing Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, argues that the company did not commit the crime of forgery and use of forged documents because the alleged contract dated 30/1/2019 is not a forged document. He refers to the information obtained during the interrogations of Mukamusoni Berthe on 10/1/2020 and 26/6/2020, where she stated that the owner of shares in FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd called her, as the Managing Director, to inform her that the contract was about to be signed. She also confirmed that the excavators mentioned in the contract were present on the field, as stated in the interrogation of 10/1/2020, which was corroborated by a person named Karenzi Didier, although he denied her signature in the interrogation of 10/3/2020. Additionally, there is an invoice documenting the payment for transporting the purchased excavators to Kayenzi.
In the judgment RPA 00516/2018/HC/KIG, rendered by the High Court on 13/5/2022, the Court ruled that the appeal by Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd was well-founded, thereby acquitting them. The Court also quashed the judgment RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge on 30/3/2022, and determined that the damage claim filed by FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd should not have been admitted or examined on its merits, rendering the decisions in that case and regarding claimed damages null and void.
The Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd were dissatisfied with the judgment and appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Prosecution lodged its appeal on 10/6/2022, while FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd lodged its appeal on 6/6/2022.
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The case was heard on 12/4/2023, with the Prosecution represented by Habarurema Jean-Pierre, National Prosecutor, and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd represented by Counsel Rubasha Herbert. Renzaho Alexis was assisted by Counsel Werabe Safi Chantal, and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd was represented by Counsel Ndahimana Jean Bosco.
During the hearing, the Court considered the objection raised by Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd to dismiss the second appeal lodged by the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd. II. ANALYSIS OF A LEGAL ISSUE OF THE CASE Whether the second appeal filed by the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd before this Court can be admitted
Counsel Ndahimana Jean Bosco, representing Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd, argues that the appeal filed by the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd should not be admitted. He contends that, according to Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph nine (9°) of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018, which determines the jurisdiction of courts, only the sentence of imprisonment is used to determine the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal in criminal cases. He further argues that the Court of Appeal hears cases at the second instance only when an imprisonment sentence of at least fifteen (15) years has been imposed. Additionally, he maintains that the provisions of Article 52, paragraph two (2), from subparagraph (1°) to (8°), apply solely to civil cases.
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Counsel Ndahimana Jean Bosco asserts that, in this case, at first instance, the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge sentenced Jiang Haisheng, Jiang Haifeng, and Renzaho Alexis to seven (7) years of imprisonment and a fine of five million Rwandan francs (5,000,000 Frw) each. However, the High Court subsequently quashed the judgment rendered at first instance.
Counsel Ndahimana Jean Bosco further argues that the issue of exceeding the scope of the appeal arose in the High Court, which acquitted individuals who neither appealed against the judgment nor pleaded in court, and this should not be interpreted as basing its decision on a non-existent law. He references Decision No. 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen of 17/5/2021 issued by the President of the Court of Appeal, which admitted the Prosecution’s appeal based on Article 52, paragraphs 2 and 3, of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, on grounds that the High Court based its ruling on a hearing procedure not provided for by law. He contends that this decision is inapplicable in the present case, as exceeding the scope of the appeal does not equate to using an unauthorized procedure, thus bearing no relation to the content of Decision No. 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen. He concludes by requesting that this Court should dismiss the appeal lodged by the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd.
Counsel Werabe Safi Chantal, representing Renzaho Alexis, argues that the Prosecution’s appeal should not be admitted regarding Renzaho Alexis. She cites Article 183 of Law No. 027/2019 of 19/9/2019 relating to criminal procedure, stating that the Prosecution failed to indicate any flaws in Judgment No. RPA 00156/2018/HC/KIG concerning Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd individually, nor
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how such flaws should be corrected. Thus, there is no basis for this Court to continue hearing the case, as no grounds of appeal specifically concerning them have been presented by the Prosecution. She further asserts that the Prosecution’s critique of the appealed judgment is that the High Court exceeded the scope of the appeal and the subject matter of the case, as it acquitted Jiang Haisheng and Jiang Haifeng, who neither appealed nor pleaded before the court.
Counsel Werabe Safi Chantal further states that, as indicated in the form filled out by the applicant for the second appeal to the Court of Appeal, FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd has appealed, asserting that its appeal falls within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal based on Article 52, paragraph three (3) of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018, because the judgment under appeal was based on laws or legal provisions that do not exist or have lapsed. This, she argues, means that the court exceeded the scope of the appeal and the trial by acquitting Jiang Haisheng and Jiang Haifeng, who were not tried and were found not guilty of the crimes they were convicted for at first instance. She adds that they were even exempted from paying damages, and that there is no legal basis for this, nor could there be any law that justifies it.
The Prosecution submits that its appeal is based on Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph three (3°), of Law n° 30/2018 of 2/6/2018, as mentioned above. The Prosecution asserts that the High Court relied on a non-existent law when it quashed the judgment n° RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge and acquitted individuals (Jiang Haifeng and Jiang Haisheng) whom it did not try and who did not lodge an appeal. The Prosecution argues that
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no law permits a judge to acquit someone who was not tried, did not make any request to the Court, or did not even appear before it, disregarding the provisions of Articles 183 and 188 of Law n° 027/2019 of 19/9/2019 relating to criminal procedure. The Prosecution requests this Court to refer to paragraph 14 of Decision n° 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen of 17/5/2021, issued by the President of the Court of Appeal, where it was decided that the Prosecution’s appeal should be admitted based on Article 52, paragraphs two and three, because the High Court had rendered the appealed decision based on a hearing procedure not provided for by law.
Counsel Herbert Rubasha, representing FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd, states that their appeal is based on Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph three (3°) of Law n° 30/2018 of 2/6/2018, which pertains to judgments rendered on the basis of a non-existent law, repealed legal provisions, or judgments issued by a court lacking jurisdiction over such cases. He submits that the appeal is grounded in the argument that the High Court exceeded the scope of the appeal because, in paragraph seventy-two (72) of the judgment under appeal, it overturned judgment No. RP 01142/2020/TGI/NYGE, which was rendered at the first instance by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge. He further states that, in paragraph seventy-three (73) of the judgment, the same Court declared null and void the claim for damages and the first instance decisions.
Counsel Herbert Rubasha argues that in all these decisions, the High Court disregarded the provisions of Article 183, subparagraphs five (5°) and six (6°), as well as Article 188 of Law No. 027/2019 of 19/9/2019 relating to criminal procedure, on the grounds that the court exceeded the scope of the appeal
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lodged by Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd. He contends that the High Court acquitted Jiang Haifeng and Jiang Haisheng of the crimes, despite not having tried them, nor did they appeal to that Court. Therefore, he argues that the High Court acted without any legal basis and did not rely on any existing law.
In his conclusion, Counsel Herbert Rubasha states that, as ruled in paragraph fourteen (14) of Decision No. 0019/Pres/CA/2021/Pen of 17/5/2021, issued by the President of the Court of Appeal, acquitting those who did not appeal or plead in the case under appeal constitutes using a procedure not provided by law. Therefore, he argues that the appeal of FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd must be admitted on the basis of Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph three (3°), of the aforementioned Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph three (3°), of Law n° 30/2018 of 2/6/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts provides that “The Court of Appeal has also jurisdiction to try at the second level of appeal cases tried by the High Court, the Commercial High Court and Military High Court, if such cases are decided based on a non-existing law, refer to repealed legal provisions or are tried by a court lacking jurisdiction”. Subparagraph 9 of the same paragraph same article of the said law reads that: “The Court of Appeal has also jurisdiction to try at the second level of appeal cases tried by the High Court, the Commercial High Court and Military High Court, if such cases involve a term of imprisonment of at least fifteen (15) years. In criminal cases, reference is only made to the imprisonment
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sentence given to determine the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal”.
Article 188, paragraph one, of the Law n° 027/2019 of 19/9/2019 relating to criminal procedure reads that: “(…).The court seized on appeal hears the case only within the limits of the point on appeal”1.
As decided in Supreme Court Judgment No. RPAA 0096/15/CS of 18/5/2018, in which the Court examined the provisions of Article 28, paragraph two (2), subparagraph (2°), of Organic Law No. 03/2012/OL of 13/6/2012 on the organization, functioning, and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court—provisions that are very similar to those of Article 52, paragraph two (2), subparagraph (3°), of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018 cited above—the term "non-existing law" should be understood to mean a law that is no longer in force (repealed law), a law that has not yet entered into force, or a law that has never existed. Consequently, the Court's jurisdiction must be assessed in terms of whether a repealed law, a law not yet in force, or a non-existing law is being applied in the case of appeal.
1 Article 10 of Law n° 22/2018 of 29/4/2018 relating to civil, commercial, labor and administrative procedure provides that: “A judge may not decide more than he/she has been asked to”. Article 155 of the very Law stipulates that: “An appeal that is admitted has the effect of returning a case to the situation as it was before the judgement, but only as to issues that are the subject-matter of appeal”. And article 156 of the same Law reads that: “The subject-matter to be decided by the appeal court is limited to what is in the appeal. The court only decides on the issues brought forth by the appellant and respondent at the appeal level.
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The Supreme Court's rulings make it clear that, for a second appeal to be admissible, the appellant must identify the law applied in the case under appeal that does not exist2.
The Court of Appeal first noted that the criticisms made by the appellants in the present case, as reflected in the decision of the High Court (decision on the ruling under appeal), were not reflected in the Court's reasoning, which in fact did not rule about Jiang Haisheng and Jiang Haifeng.
The Court of Appeal finds that, as indicated above, in the second appeal, with regard to the provisions of the third subparagraph (3°) of paragraph two (2) of Article 52 of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018, the appellant bears the burden of proving the application of a non-existing law in the case under appeal. However, in this instance, the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd argue that issuing a decision on matters that were neither heard nor appealed (ultra petita) constitutes the use of a procedure not provided for by law, which should be regarded as relying on a non-existing law.
The Court of Appeal also finds that, as stated in Article 188, paragraph 1, of Law n° 027/2019 of 19/9/2019, the law provides that the Court of Appeal shall hear only within the limits of the matter appealed. Therefore, if the Court has rendered decisions beyond the limits of the matter appealed, this must be
2 This aligns with the Court of Appeal's decision of 23/3/2002 in judgment no. RCOMAA 00109/2022/CA, where the Court ruled in paragraph nineteen (19) that if no non-existent law is cited in the copy of the judgment under appeal, the Court cannot, in any way, conclude that the judgment is based on a non- existent law.
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considered a breach of the law, rather than the use of a procedure not provided for by law or reliance on a non-existent law.
The Court of Appeal finds that, pursuant to Article 52 of Law No. 30/2018 of 2/6/2018, non-compliance with the provisions of the law is not among the grounds for the admissibility and hearing on the merits of a second appeal, and is not considered as reliance on a non-existent law. It further finds that non-compliance with the law is an error that can be corrected through other procedures provided by law, and is not corrected within the context of a second appeal unless the claimant demonstrates one of the grounds stipulated by the law that could allow the second appeal to be admissible for hearing on the merits.
Furthermore, the Court of Appeal finds that, as established in judgment n° RPAA 0021/2016/CS-RPAA 0002/2016/CS rendered on 12/5/2017 by the Supreme Court, in criminal cases, only the sentence serves as the basis for determining the jurisdiction of the court in a second appeal, regardless of the damages or the value of the property in dispute3.
The Court of Appeal therefore finds that, since the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd have failed to identify the non-existent law on which the High Court relied in reaching the judgment under appeal, and as no sentence of at least fifteen (15) years' imprisonment was imposed in this case, their second appeal is inadmissible for hearing on its merits.
For all these reasons, the Court of Appeal finds it unnecessary to consider the other arguments put forward by the
3 See paragraph twenty-two (22) of that judgment.
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accused individuals in support of their claim that the appeal should not be admitted. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Holds that the objection raised by Renzaho Alexis and Paragone Mining Industry Investment Co Ltd to the admission of the appeal lodged by the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd has merit ;
Holds that the appeal lodged by the Prosecution and FX Tugirane Ubumwe Mining Co Ltd is inadmissible ;
Orders that the court fees in this case are borne to the Public Treasury.
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PROCEDURAL CASE
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51 Re. VALOIS JEAN MARIE
RE VALOIS JEAN FELIX [Rwanda COURT OF APPEAL-RC 00001/2022/CA (Rukundakuvuga P.J.) 24 April 2023 Civil Procedure – Disqualification of a judge – Summary procedure – The fact that a judge heard a claim under the summary procedure does not disqualify him/her from hearing the principal claim. Facts: This case originates from the case RC 00001/2022/CA opposing Valois Jean Felix and his co-litigants to Dusabe Fazil; the lawyer of Valois Jean Felix applied for the disqualification of Judge Kaliwabo, one of the judges composing the trial bench. He argues that he applied for his disqualification because he heard the summary procedure RC 00005/2022/CA, incidental to the principal claim RC 00001/2022/CA. Therefore, they applied for the disqualification of Judge Kaliwabo from hearing the principal claim. The Court of Appeal held that the subject-matter for the summary procedure is different from the subject-matter of the principal claim, and the judge adjudicating it is prohibited to make an opinion that can encroach on the principal claim. Therefore, it held that the fact that a judge has heard an urgent claim under a summary procedure cannot be interpreted as if he/she once intervened in the case as a judge, a mediator, a prosecutor, a judicial police officer, a party, a witness, an arbitrator, an interpreter, an expert or as a public servant as the law provides; more so that the subject-matters for both claims are not the same, and the hearing on the claim under summary 51
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procedure has no effect on the principal claim. Therefore, hearing the urgent claim does not constitute a ground for the judge’s disqualification. The Court of Appeal decided to replace the disqualified judge by another for the sake of reassuring the parties. Held: The fact that a judge heard a claim under summary procedure does not disqualify him/her from hearing the principal claim. Therefore, the fact that the subject-matters for both claims are different, cannot encroach on the ruling of the principal claim. The application for the judge’s disqualification lacks merit. For reassuring the party, the disqualified judge can be replaced. The statutes referred to: Law N0 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, articles 106, 60; 103, 60 and 185 No cases referred to. Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
In the hearing of 05/04/2023 of the case RC 00001/2022/CA opposing Valois Jean Felix, Valois Jean Paul, Valois Marie Rose, Valois Jean Pierre and Valois Jean Marie to Dusabe Fazil; Counsel Abasa Fazili assisting Valois Jean Felix
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applied for the disqualification of Judge Kaliwabo Charles, one of the judges composing the bench hearing the case. He explains that the disqualification ground is that Judge Kaliwabo Charles heard the urgent claim RC 00005/2022/CA, which is incidental to the principal case RC 00001/2022/CA ; he relies on the article 103, paragraph of the law relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure.
The case on the Judge’s disqualification was heard by the Judges’ Council on 21/04/2023 and the Council examined whether a judge who heard the urgent claim under summary procredure should be disqualified from hearing the principal claim. II. ANALYSIS OF THE DISQUALIFICATION GROUND
Counsel Abasa Fazili assisting Valois Jean Felix, submits that, upon the request of his client, he seeks for the disqualification of Judge Kaliwabo Charles from the case RC 00001/2022/CA arguing that he is the very judge who heard Valois Jean Felix in the case RC 00005/2022/CA, incidental to the case RC 00001/2022/CA; such ground is corroborated by the provision of the article 103, paragraph 6 of the law relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure. He also prays the Court to consider his client’s explanations and replace Judge Kaliwabo Charles from the hearing of the case RC 00001/2022/CA.
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DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 103, 6o of the Law relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure provides that a judge can be disqualified if he/she once intervened in the case as a judge, a mediator, a prosecutor, a judicial police officer, a party, a witness, an arbitrator, an interpreter, an expert or as a public servant.
The above article denotes that there should have been the same case at different times (mostly at the first and appeal levels) and the judge under disqualification should have heard such case. For a case to be considered the same, it must be about the same subjet-matter, and between the same litigants. It is evident that when one requirement is not met, the case is no longer the same. Therefore, the provision of the above mentioned article does not apply to the judge for whom the disqualification is applied.
As per the provision of article 185 of the Law relating to the civil, commercial, labour and adminstrative procedure, a claim under summary procedure seeks an interim ruling on a matter which requires an urgent resolution before hearing the principal claim. », whereas article 186 of the same Law provides that « the summary procedure judge decides by way of orders, but without prejudicing the merits of the principal suit »
Looking at the provisions of these two articles, it is so clear that the subject-matter of the urgent claim differs from the litigation matter on the principal claim, it is also clear that the judge hearing the urgent claim is restricted from addressing on the principal claim.
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The Court finds that the fact that a judge hearing the principal claim, had as well heard its incidental urgent claim under summary procedure cannot be taken for the provision of article 103, 60, as the subject-matters for both claims are not the same, and therefore it cannot encroach on the ruling of the principal claim ; in other words, it acnnot be a ground for the judge’s disqualification as above expounded.
For those reasons, the Court finds that the grounds provided by Valois Jean Felix for disqualifying Judge Kaliwabo Charles from the hearing bench of the case RC 00001/2022/CA are not material enough for the judge’s disqualification as they are unfounded. However, for the sake of reassuring the party for this particular issue, the Court opts for replacing him by another. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Holds that the application by Valois Jean Felix for the judge’s disqualifcation is unfounded ;
Orders that Jugde Kaliwabo Charles is replaced by another judge in the bench hearing the case RC 00001/2022/CA due to the above explained reasons.
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57 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
LABOUR CASES
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59 NIYONAGIZE v DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI
NIYONAGIZE v. DUHUZUMURIMO WA KAROTI [Rwanda SUPREME COURT – RS/INJUST/RSOC 00012/2022/SC – (Mukamulisa, P.J., Nyirinkwaya and Muhumuza, J.) 17 February 2023] Labour procedure – Employment contract – Termination of employment contract – Burden of proof – In the event of a dispute, the employer who terminated the contract is the one who provides evidence that the employee committed a mistake or engaged in misconduct. Labour procedure – Employment contract – Termination of fixed-term employment contract – Unlawful termination of employment contract is subject to various damages. Procedure governing the judgment review on grounds of injustice – Objection that can preclude the hearing of the case on the merits – If the President of the Supreme Court decides that a case should be retried on grounds of injustice, no other inadmissibility objection should be accepted, unless the party can demonstrate exceptional reasons, such as an error in the time limit for filing a claim. Facts: Niyonagize sued Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti Cooperative in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, seeking for various damages for his alleged unlawfully dismissal from work, where he worked as the cooperative's accountant and secretary. He further adds that after a disagreement with the Cooperative’s new manager, he was transferred from working in the office, which was his job, to the field without any other contract with his 59
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employer, yet he continues to be held accountable for the work he used to perform in the office. Subsequently, the manager terminated his employment contract without providing any justification or any serious misconduct. The Cooperative defended itself by stating that the Plaintiff was dismissed for incompetence and failure to meet the performance expectations, and disrespecting the management structure. It also submits that in the original contract that governed them, the Plaintiff altered the starting hours of work and the duration of the contract. Regarding the change of duties, it states that only the responsibilities have been changed, while the position, salary and the nature of the work remained unchanged, except that he was moved from the office to the field. It concludes by requesting that the Plaintiff's claim should be dismissed, and that he should instead be ordered to pay them damages for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits and counsel fee. The Intermediate Court upheld that the Plaintiff's claim is founded in parts and the Cooperative appealed to the High Court, stating that the lower Court ruled that the agreement was signed by both competent parties while there was other original agreement that the Plaintiff had altered. Niyonagize also filed a cross-appeal seeking for various damages. This instant Court ruled that the Cooperative had lawfully dismissed Niyonagize, and overturned the damages awarded to him at first instance. This prompted Niyonagize to request for review of the case on grounds of injustice, arguing that the decision had deliberately disregarded the law and the elements of evidence which indicated that he had been unlawfully dismissed, consequently, it was decided that the case would be reviewed.
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After deciding the dismissal of inadmissibilty objection raised by the Cooperative seeking for inadmissibility of the Plaintiff's claim for consideration, the Supreme Court first examined the grounds of injustice and whether damages should be awarded in this case. On this issue, the Plaintiff explains that the High Court ruled that he was legally dismissed without any element of evidence, ignoring various elements of evidence including the the statement of the handover ceremony between him as the financial secretary of the Cooperative and the management of the Cooperative. He further requests this instant Court to examine the alleged disobedience which was considered as serious misconducts, because in the document drawn up when he was hired, they had stated that what was done before being hired, he would not be held accountable. He also states that he never received a letter informing him of the termination of his employment contract within forty-eight (48) hours, and that even the meeting in which the defendant claims to have been talking about his dismissal from work, was never informed to him. The Respondent explains that the elements of evidence proving that the Plaintiff did not prepare the report while he was supposed to prepare the minutes of the meeting, and that the person who was humiliated was making a statement. Regarding the issue that the Plaintiff had allegedly altered the employment contract, they argue that they are no longer considering it as a ground for the termination of the contract because they do not have evidence for it, he requests that those issues should not be examined in this present case. On the issue of whether there are damages that should be awarded in this present case, the Plaintiff requests to examine those he had claimed in the Intermediate Court which include those for
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unlawful dismissal, unpaid salaries, procedural fees and counsel's fees; while the Defendant argues that they would not be awarded, stating that it is the one who must explain his claim and provide evidence. Held: 1. If the President of the Supreme Court decides that a case should be retried on grounds of injustice, no other inadmissibility objection should be accepted, unless the party can demonstrate exceptional reasons, such as an error in the time limit for filing a claim. 2. In the event of a dispute, the employer who terminated the contract is the one who provides elements of evidence that the employee committed a mistake or engaged in misconduct. Therefore, Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti unlawfully dismissed Niyonagize Augustave, as it failed to provide any proof of misconduct or failure to fulfill his responsibilities, other than verbally stating such alleged fact. 3. Unlawful termination of employment contract is subject to various damages. Therefore, Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti has unlawfully terminated the employment contract concluded with Niyonagize Augustave, and it must pay to him various damages. Application for judgment review on grounds of injustice is founded in parts. Statutes and statutory referred to: Law N° 66/2018 of 30/08/2018 regulating labour in Rwanda, article 3.
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Law Nº 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, article 55. Law N°22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, article 111. Law N° 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, article 28. Law N°15/2004 of 12/06/2004 relating to evidence and its production. Case laws referred to: Niwemugeni Jeannette v KCB Bank Rwanda Ltd, RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC decided by the Supreme Court on 31/01/2019. Busoro Gervais v Busoro Mugunga Desire et Al., RS/INJUST/RC 00022/2018/SC decided by the Supreme Court on 21/06/2021. Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
Niyonagize Augustave sued Koperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti (Cooperative) before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, seeking for various damages for unlawful dismissal, his claim was registered under RSOC 00274/2017/TGI/NYGE. He states that on 31/03/2016, he was hired by the Cooperative, with a 2-year employment contract, and was appointed as Secretary-Accountant, receiving a gross salary of 97,223 Frw and the net salary was 80,869 Frw. He further claims that although the gross salary of 97,223 Frw was stipulated, he was never paid
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this amount. Instead, his take-home salary was only 70,000 Frw per month.
He further states that after starting the job, a new manager of the Cooperative called Kubitiro K. Audace was recruited and he expressed dislike for him, allegedly because he resisted the manager's attempts to misuse the Cooperative's funds. As a result, the manager constantly requested written explanations from him for mistakes he was unaware of, to the extent that on 08/12/2016 he changed his duties and sent him to work on the field in an unspecified position.
Niyonagize Augustave further states that he was removed from working in the office, which was his job, and was transferred to the field without any other contract with his employer, yet he continues being held accountable for his office work. He state that on 23/01/2017, the manager terminated his employment contract without giving him any reason or any gross misconduct, and requests to the Court to declare his dismissal unlawful and to order that he shold be paid all his claimed damages as set out in his claim.
The Cooperative, on behalf of its Manager, defended that the plaintiff was dismissed for incompetence, failure to perform as expected, and disrespect for the Cooperative's management structure. It also argued that in the original contract between them, the plaintiff altered the starting hours and the duration of the contract.
Regarding salary, the Cooperative states that Niyonagize Augustave was paid 97,223 Frw and received it in full, especially since he was responsible for preparing salaries as the Cooperative's accountant and secretary, and that if he
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miscalculated, the Cooperative would not be held responsible. Regarding the change of duties, the Cooperative says that only the responsibilities have changed, while the position and salary and the nature of the work remained the same, except that he was reassigned from the office work to field work. It concludes by stating that Niyonagize Augustave's claim is unfounded, and that he should instead be ordered to pay to them damages for dragging the Cooperative into unnecessary lawsuits and counsel's fee.
In the case RSOC 00274/2017/TGI/NYGE, decided on 03/05/2018, the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge declared Niyonagize Augustave's claim founded in parts; declared that there was no evidence to prove that the contract signed on 31/03/2016 between Niyonagize Augustave and the representative of the Cooperative, Niyoyita Jean Claude was not original; ruled that Niyonagize Augustave was unlawfully dismissed; ruled that Niyonagize Augustave's net salary should have been 80,869 Frw; ordered to Cooperative, on behalf of its Manager, to pay to Niyonagize Augustave damages for unlawful dismissal amounting to 1,361,262 Frw; 2 months' unpaid salary: 80,869 Frw x 2 = 161,739 Frw; balance of unpaid salary for 8 months is 86,952 Frw; procedural fee amounting to 200,000 Frw, 500,000 Frw for counsel's fees and 50,000 Frw for court fee deposited by the plaintiff.
The Cooperative appealed against the judgment before the High Court, arguing that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge had ruled that the agreement which was signed by both competent parties despite there was other original agreement that Niyonagize Augustave had altered.
Niyonagize Augustave also filed a cross-appeal against the Cooperative requesting the following : payment of notice,
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7,000,000 Frw of moral damages of being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits, 500,000 Frw for procedural fee and 700,000 Frw for the counsel's fee in the appeal.
In the case RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG, decided on 27/02/2020, the High Court ruled that the Cooperative had lawfully dismissed Niyonagize Augustave, that the damages awarded at first instance amounted to 1,361,262 Frw, as well as counsel’s and the procedural fee are dismissed. It also ruled that the Cooperative must pay to Niyonagize Augustave damages of 86,952 Frw for the difference in salary and 161,739 Frw for unpaid 2 months.
In making its decision, the High Court based its decision on the fact that Niyonagize Augustave had been repeatedly requested to provide explanations and that not only the President of the Cooperative had questioned about him but also the entire Cooperative Committee questioned about him, and therefore he should have been dismissed. The Court stated that there was evidence proving that Niyonagize Augustave had not filled out the book he was responsible for filling out, that the Committee had initially requested to provisionally suspend him however, his subsequent disrespect towards them ultimately led to his dismissal.
On 18/03/2020, Niyonagize Augustave wrote to the President of the Court of Appeal requesting that the case RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG decided by the High Court on 27/02/2020 be reviewed on grounds of injustice, because in its decision there was a deliberate disregard of the law and evidence indicating that he was unlawfully dismissed. After considering his request, the President of the Court of Appeal in turn wrote to the President of
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the Supreme Court requesting that the aforementioned case should be reviewed on grounds of injustice.
The President of the Supreme Court, after examining the report prepared on the case, on 30/08/2022, took decision number 162/CJ/2022 that the case RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG should be retried, the case was registered under number RS/INJUST/RSOC 00012/2022/SC.
The hearing of this case was scheduled on 24/01/2023, held in public, Niyonagize Augustave was assisted by Counsel Ruberwa Pierre, the Cooperative was represented by Counsel Ntihemuka Clément.
Before the hearing the case on the merits, the Court first examined the arguments of the Counsel for the Cooperative who raised the objection, where on 4/11/2022 they attached a document in the system stating that the Plaintiff does not demonstrate how the grounds on which he bases his request for a review of the case are consistent with the provisions of article 55 of Law n0 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, which provides for grounds of injustice that justify a review of the case; that therefore, the claim of Niyonagize Augustave should not be admitted for consideration. The Court immediately ruled on this, stating that it had set position on this in various cases, in the event that President of the Supreme Court decides that a case should be retried on grounds of injustice, no other inadmissibility objection should be accepted, unless the party can demonstrate exceptional reasons, such as an error in the time limit for filing a case.1
1 See for exemple the judgment n0 RS/INJUST/RC 00022/2018/SC between Busoro Gervais v. Busoro Mugunga Desire et Al.
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In this instant case, issues to be examined are whether the High Court ignored the evidence proving that Niyonagize Augustave was unlawfully dismissed and whether any damages should be awarded. II. ANALYSIS OF LEGAL ISSUES i. Determine whether Niyonagize Augustave was unlawfully dismissed from his job
Counsel Ruberwa Pierre, Counsel for Niyonagize Augustave, argues that the injustice in this case is based on the fact that the High Court Judge, declared that his client was lawfully dismissed without any supporting evidence. He contends that while the Cooperative stated that his client failed to prepare a report, they also acknowledged that on the day his job responsibilities were changed, a handover ceremony took place between him, as the Cooperative's Financial Secretary, and the Cooperative's management.
He further states that he requests to the Court to examine the alleged disobedience of his client which was considered as serious misconducts, because in the document drawn up when he was hired, they had stated that what was done before being hired, he would not be held accountable. He also states that he never received a letter informing him of the termination of his employment contract within forty-eight (48) hours, and that he was not informed of the meeting mentioned by the applicant in which the issue of his dismissal was discussed. He concludes by stating that the High Court wronged him, as his dismissal was unlawful, and he should therefore be compensated as provided for by law.
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Counsel Ruberwa Pierre also states that the High Court ignored various elements of evidence including the handover ceremony document prepared on 29/11/2016 following Niyonagize Augustave’s placement on a layoff of fifteen-day on 28/11/2016, and the letter of 08/12/2016 changing his duties from Secretary-Accountant to a field worker.
He also argues that the High Court ignored the fact that Niyonagize Augustave was dismissed on 24/01/2017 without first receiving a letter of explanation for the serious misconduct he was informed of when he was given a letter of unlawful dismissal as stated in paragraph 13 of the judgment sought for review on grounds of injustice. He explains that in that paragraph, the High Court held that Niyonagize Augustave should be dismissed because he had been repeatedly requested to provide explanations and had been disrespectful to the President and the Committee, but there was no evidence to substantiate these claims.
Niyonagize Augustave avers that he had no contact with the Committee because he did not receive a letter inviting him or which can be identified as evidence of Cooperative in the case, and that he does not understand how the Court found him guilty of contempt as a serious misconduct without any supporting evidence.
He further states that he disagrees with the respondent’s claim that he disrespected the management, because he was doing his job well, but that caused the misunderstanding with his manager, was that he mismanaged the Cooperative's funds, that this is why after he prepared a six-month report, he submitted it but the Manager of the Cooperative refused to receive it, consequently he submitted it to RCA (Rwanda Cooperative
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Agency), which caused them to plan firing him for alleged disobedience and other unreasonable things, which pushed him seeking justice to the Court. He also states that the document he submitted to the RCA was intended to highlight the source of the Cooperative's losses before they occurred as provided for in article 14 of the employment contract.
Counsel Ntihemuka Clement, representing the Cooperative, argues that Niyonagize Augustave's claim that the Court found him guilty of failing to prepare a report without any evidence from the Cooperative is unfounded, but rather he was the one who had to prove that all the reports he was supposed to prepare were correctly drafted and on time as stipulated in the employment contract and work instructions. He also states that up to now, the registers in which he was supposed to prepare some of these reports exist, and that they show that they were not prepared as instructed. Additionally, he asserts that although Niyonagize Augustave relies on a handover document, that document does not qualify as a report.
He further states that with regard to Niyonagize Augustave's claim that he was not given a letter of explanation within 48 hours, he finds that he deliberately ignores the fact that the article he relies on concerns the indefinite term employment contract. He explains that fixed-term employment contracts are governed by paragraph 2 of article 28 of Law n° 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, which provides that the decision to terminate the contract due to serious misconduct must be notified to the employee within 48 hours, and that this was respected, especially since Niyonagize Augustave, after having disobeyed the Committee and told it that he had nothing to
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respond, he was notified of the decision to terminate his contract within the time limit set by law.
Counsel Ntihemuka Clement adds that the matter of disobedience of the Committee occurred repeatedly: that firstly, Niyonagize Augustave's manager informed him in writing that he had to prepare a report filling out the registers, and recorded them in one register where he had found that there was excessive delay, Niyonagize Augustave instead of responding that he had heard the instructions reprimanded him, instead, he wrote reprimanding his manager, stating that he should have written to him somewhere other than in the register, as if he was the one who determined how the registers would be used. He says that secondly, the Committee summoned him to explain his behavior of disobeying his manager, to which he replied that he would first prepare for it but did not say when he would be ready, and it was at that time he was temporarily suspended from work, which were followed by a change of responsibilities when he was assigned to the field work.
He further states that for the third time, Niyonagize Augustave was requested by the Committee to explain the reasons for being late for work and disrespecting his manager, and replied that he did not have time for this, and that these were added to many other times disrespecting his manager to the point that it was difficult to continue working with him. He also states that he finds that Niyonagize Augustave was dismissed for his mistakes of not fulfilling his duties properly, disrespecting working hours and disrespecting management, and therefore he does not deserve any damage.
Counsel Ntihemuka Clément was asked if there was any evidence to prove that Niyonagize did not prepare the reports he
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was supposed to prepare, and the time he would have supposed to prepare them, and if there was any evidence proving disobedience over the Committee and the time it happened, Counsel Ntihemuka Clément replied that the evidence was the minutes of the meeting. When asked if there was any other evidence proving that he was being asked for a report and disrespected the management, he replied that disobedience is legal fact not a legal act, so as they can find another evidence for it, but instead, the disrespected person was making a statement. As for the allegation that Niyonagize had altered the employment contract, Counsel Ntihemuka Clément stated that this was not being considered as a reason for terminating the contract because there was no evidence to support the claim, and he requests that those issues should not be considered in this instant case. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Paragraph 2 of article 28, of Law n° 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, which was also into force at that time of the alleged contract, states that: However, the contract of employment for a determined period or for a well defined work can be terminated before the fixed term in case of gross negligence or agreement between the parties. Where the contract for a determined period is terminated due to gross negligence, the party causing the contract to be terminated shall notify the same to the other party within fourty eight (48) hours.
Article 3 of Law n°15/2004 of 12/06/2004 relating to evidence and its production states that each party has the burden of proving the facts he/she alleges.
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The case file contains an employment contract signed on 31/3/2016 between Niyonagize Augustave and the Cooperative, where he was hired to work as the Cooperative's Secretary- Accountant.
Article 9 of the indicatd agreement provides for a period of two (2) years, renewable from the date of its signature ; such agreement also provides for its termination, stating that if the Employer wishes to dismiss the Employee, he must provide written notice one month in advance and shall pay him/her for that month. Both parties also agreed that the same agreement is based on the provisions of the Rwandan labour law.
Law n° 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 mentioned above does not provide a definition of serious misconduct that would lead to the dismissal of an employee as it is the case in the current Law n° 66/2018 of 30/08/2018 regulating labour in Rwanda. The new law defines serious misconduct as a misconduct by an employee based on the severity of the action, omission, conduct, its circumstances or consequences such as the employer can no longer continue to employ him/her.2
The case file also includes the minutes of the meeting of 15/01/2017 between the Executive Committee and the Supervisory Committee of the Cooperative, where among the issues discussed at that meeting was the issue concerning the conduct of Niyonagize Augustave ; which confirmed that he should be dismissed because it is clear that he has disobedience and misbehaviour, and that he is not properly doing his job.
2 See article 3,7º of that Law
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The case file also indicates that on 23/1/2017, the President of the Cooperative, named Kubitiro Kayonde Audace, wrote a letter terminating the employment contract of Niyonagize Augustave with the Cooperative. The letter states that the reasons for terminating the contract are that Niyonagize Augustave is incompetent to the job, does not perform as expected, and disrespects his Employer and all the Committees of the Cooperative. Another reason mentioned in the letter as a reason for terminating the contract is that the employee fraudulently altered the contract, to the extent that he refused to provide his original copy of employment contract to be compared with the provisions of the contracts of some other employees. However, this last point, the representative of Cooperative stated during the hearing that they no longer rely on it.
The case file even indicates that on 23/11/2016 and 17/01/2017, Niyonagize Augustave provided explanations in response to letters from the Cooperative management of 21/11/2016 and 12/01/2017 which requested explanations. However, the management did not express satisfaction with the explanations provided.
In the decision of the case seeking for review on grounds of injustice, in paragraph 13, the Court explained that the reason why Niyonagize Augustave should be dismissed was that he had been repeatedly requested by his manager to provide explanations regarding his performance, his disrespect toward the Committee, and his failure to complete the register for which he was responsible. Based on this fact, the Court ruled to overturn the damages awarded for unlawful dismissal, as well as the procedural fee and counsel's fee granted at the first instance.
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In his defence, Niyonagize Augustave explains that from the time his duties were changed on 08/12/2016 until his dismissal, he never received a letter requesting him to provide explanations, nor invited by the Committee so as he refused to appear. Therefore, he argued that the High Court's ruling that his dismissal was in accordance with the law was unfair to him.
As mentioned above, the Law provides that in the event of termination of a contract due to gross misconduct, the party terminating the contract must notify the other party within forty- eight (48) hours. The fact that Niyonagize Augustave was notified of the termination of his employment contract in a letter dated 23/01/2017, seven days after the decision to dismiss him was taken at the meeting of 15/01/2017, but the Cooperative did not first notify him within the period provided for by the Law, the gross misconduct he committed warrants his dismissal, shows that the management of the Cooperative did not comply with the provisions of the law.
Furthermore, the Court finds that the reasons stated by the Cooperative in its letter of 23/01/2017 as the reasons for terminating the employment contract with Niyonagize Augustave, as well as those stated by the Executive Committee and the Inspection Committee during the meeting of 15/01/2017 regarding his behavior, are unfounded. The Cooperative failed to provide any evidence of misconduct or failure to fulfill his duties, only relying on verbal statements.
The Court therefore finds that in the case under review on grounds of injustice, the High Court held that Niyonagize Augustave’s dismissal was lawful, regardless of whether the procedures required by law prior to terminating the contract were properly observed.
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ii. Determine whether any damages should be awarded in this case
Counsel Ruberwa Pierre, assisting Niyonagize Augustave, argues that the defendant must pay the following damages : - 2,500,000 Frw for unlawful dismissal ; - 1,000,000 Frw for compensation for pecuniary loss resulting from unpaid two months’ salaries ; - 2,000,000 Frw for procedural fees and counsel's fees.
Regarding other explanations of the damages requested by Niyonagize Augustave, Counsel Ruberwa Pierre states that those filed in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge will be considered, which consist of the following : - Damages for unfair dismissal : 97,223 Frw x14=1,361,262 Frw ; - Unpaid two months : 80,869x2=161,739Frw - Difference of unpaid 8 months :(80,869-70,000) x8=86, 952 Frw ; - Paid leaves of two years : 97,233 Frw x2=192,466 Frw ; - Vacation allowance :97, 233 Frw x 2=194, 466 Frw ; - 7 days worked on public holidays : 97,233 Frw x7/2=30,934 Frw ; - Notice period provided for in the contract : 97,233 Frw ;
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- Damages for not being provided with a properly issued work certificate : 97,233 Frw x 6=583, 398 Frw; - Moral damages : 2,000,000 Frw ; - Counsel’s fee : 500,000 Frw ; - Procedural fee : 500,000 Frw ; - Court fee : 50,000 Frw.
Counsel Ntihemuka Clément, representing Cooperative, argues that Niyonagize Augustave does not explain the damages and their basis, and therefore should not be awarded them because he is the one who must explain his claim and presents its evidence. He argues that no procedural and counsel’s fees that Niyonagize Augustave should be awarded because he has not truth, that instead, based on article 111 of the Law relating to the civil, commercial, labor and administrative procedure, since Niyonagize Augustave initiated unnecessary lawsuits against Cooperative, he should be held liable for the following amounts: - 1,200,000 Frw for the procedural and counsel's fees at the first and second levels; - 1,300,000 Frw for the procedural and counsel's fees at this level, for a total of 2,500,000 Frw. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Paragraph 1 of article 28 of Law n° 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda mentioned above, provides that any dismissal which is not done basing on the reasons provided for the law or resignation made before the
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expiry of a contract for a determined period compels the party that takes initiative of termination to pay an indemnity equivalent to the remuneration for the remaining contract period without prejudice to other compensation which may be paid.
Paragraph 1 of article 33 of the aforementioned Labour Law provides that any unlawful termination of contract may result in damages. Damages paid to the unlawfully dismissed worker cannot go below his/her three months’ salary but they cannot exeed the six (6) month salary.
The Court finds that, as mentioned above, Cooperative unlawfully terminated the employment contract with Niyonagize Augustave, and therefore, based on the aforementioned provision of the law, the damages claimed by Niyonagize Augustave are justified, and it must pay damages.
As explained above, Niyonagize Augustave's employment contract with the Cooperative was for a period of two (2) years from 31/03/2016, means that it should expire on 31/03/2018. The Cooperative terminated the contract on 23/01/2017, 14 months before its expiration.
The case file also indicates that Niyonagize Augustave's gross salary was 97,233 Frw, deducting taxes and other things, and was paid 80,869 Frw as upheld by the previous courts. However, as reiterated in this instant case, Niyonagize Augustave was only paid 70,000 Frw as evidenced by the receipt dated 03/08/2016 from which he received his salary for the month of 07/2016 which is included in the case file.
The Court finds that in awarding damages to Niyonagize Augustave, the Intermediate Court calculated it based on a gross
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salary of 97,233 Frw, but based on the position set by this instant Court in the case of Niwemugeni Jeannette v. KCB Bank Rwanda Ltd3 that an employee who is dismissed from work is entitled to a net salary rather than a gross salary, Niyonagize Augustave should be paid damages for the remaining 14 months of her employment contract, calculated on the basis of the net salary he was paid, and therefore he should be paid 80,869 Frw x 14 = 1,132,166 Frw.
Regarding the moral damages Niyonagize Augustave claims to have resulted from his dismissal from work amounting to 2,000,000 Frw, which he had requested in the Intermediate Court but was not awarded, the Court finds that they should not be considered in this case for judgment review on grounds of injustice because he did not appeal them to the High Court to have them denied, and now he claims that he was wronged. The same applies to 7,000,000 Frw for moral damages of being drugged into unnecessary lawsuits which he first requested in that Court, but had not been submitted to the previous Court.
The Court also finds that the economic damages of 1,000,000 Frw, which Niyonagize Augustave first requested in this instant Court, claiming that it results from unpaid two months’salaries and their interests, should not also be considered in this instant case in accordance with the position set by the Supreme Court in various cases, which states that a party who is allowed to review a case on grounds of injustice and being retried, cannot use this procedure to bring new claims that were not part of the initial case or issues that were not examined in the case
3 See judgment n0 RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC decided by the Supreme Court on 31/01/2019 paragraph 36.
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under review, because he/she should have gone beyond the scope of that case.4
The Court finds that there was a notice period fee that Niyonagize Augustave had requested in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, it found that he should be awarded 48,611 Frw, but such amount was not included in its decision, and therefore he should be awarded such amount.
Regarding the procedural fee and counsel’s fee that Niyonagize Augustave is claiming at this level, which amount to 2,000,000 Frw, the Court finds that he should be awarded some money because it was necessary to pursue the case, and to hire a lawyer for assisting him, and that he has won some in the case, but because the amount requested is excessive, the Court finds that it should award him, in its discretion, 300,000 Frw for procedural fee, and 500,000 Frw for counsel's fee, totaling 800,000 Frw.
The Court also finds that Niyonagize Augustave should be awarded procedural fee and counsel’s fee in the High Court because it was necessary to pursue the case and to hire a lawyer to assist him as a result of the Cooperative's appeal which was granted while it should not have been granted. However, the Court notes that he requested a total of 1,200,000 Frw without presenting evidence to justify the amount. Therefore, in its discretion, the Court awards him 500,000 Frw for counsel’s fees and 300,000 Frw for procedural fees, totaling 800,000 Frw.
4 See judgment no RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2018/SC, decided on 25/09/2020 between Banque Populaire du Rwanda v. Ukwibishaka Alexis; and judgment no RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/SC, decided on 21/02/2020 between Ngizweninshuti Albert v. Muhima Giovani
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The Court also finds that he should be awarded 200,000 Frw for procedural fee and 500,000 Frw for counsel's fee that was awarded in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, and that he should also be refunded 50,000 Frw of court fee when he was logding the claim in that Court, as it had previously declared, because the case was dismissed without reason.
The Court finds that the damages requested by the Cooperrative should not be awarded as it lost this case. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Declares Niyonagize Augustave’s claim requesting for review on grounds of injustice of the case RSOCA 00003/2019/HC/KIG decided by the High Court on 27/02/2020 founded in parts.
Declares that Niyonagize Augustave was unlawfully dismissed from his job.
Orders that the Cooperative Duhuzumurimo wa Karoti, on behalf of its manager, to pay the following damages to Niyonagize Augustave: - Damages for unlawful termination of employment contract amounting to 1,132,166 Frw; - Unpaid salaries of 2 months: 161,739 Frw; - The difference of unpaid salaries for 8 months: 86,952 Frw; - Notice period equals to 15 days: 48,611 Frw;
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- 200,000 Frw for procedural fee and 500,000 Frw for counsel’s fee that was awarded in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge; - 50,000 Frw of court fee in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge - 300,000 Frw for procedural fee and 500,000 Frw for counsel’s fee in the High Court; - 300,000 Frw for procedural fee and 500,000 Frw for counsel’s fee at this instance; The total is 3,779,468 Frw.
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NSENGIYUMVA v HAYTON Ltd [Rwanda SUPREME COURT RS/INJUST/RSOC 00006/2022/SC- Nyirinkwaya, P.J., Hitiyaremye and Karimunda, J.) 14 April 2023] Labour procedure – Employment contract – Worker governed by employment contract – Is considered as worker governed by employment contract, but which is unwritten, any worker who works for a period of at least six consecutive months offering regular services to the same employer – Any worker who alleges to be so considered, must produce elements of evidence proving that he/she has been regularly working under the above mentioned conditions. Labour procedure – Employment contract –Temporary workers – Workers ‘social security contributions – Each worker must have the social security contributions paid, even if he/she works in informal sector or is employed for temporary services. Facts: Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) concluded a transportation contract with Hayton Ltd from 2014. Hayton Ltd had to hire the workers for loading and unloading boxes of medical products and other items that RBC intended to distribute across the country. It is under such a situation that Nsengiyumva was hired among other workers for the above works. Nsengiyumva states that he has been working for Hayton Ltd from 2014 to 2017 under an informal agreement, and when he last reported at his usual workplace, he got informed that his work has ended. He submitted his claim to the Labour Inspector, but nothing worked out, and that is when he filed a related claim before the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare. 83
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The seized Court heard the case at the first level, and held that his claim is unfounded because Nsengiyumva was a daily worker; therefore, h was not illegally dismissed, and the Court upheld that the damages should not be granted in the case. He appealed against the above ruling before the High Court, Chamber of Rwamagana, and the latter held that his appeal is unfounded. He applied for the review of such ruling on grounds of injustice, the application was admitted and the Supreme Court first examined the issue related to determining whether he was illegally dismissed. The applicant seeking the judgment review argues that he was illegally dismissed, he was notified of any fault nor any other reason that prompted his immediate suspension without notice, while he had concluded with the Respondent an indefinite term employment contract. Hayton Ltd, the respondent, submits that the applicant has never been the Company’s permanent worker, that he was a daily worker whom it used to pick on the casual workers’ waiting recruitment sites, and in case he had been employed from 09/09/2014 to August 2017 as permanent worker as he pleads, he should be having a written employment contract as per the provisions of the Labour law which provides that any worker who works for a period of more than six consecutive months must have a written employment contract. For the issue of determining whether the social security contributions should be paid by his former employer, the applicant states that the respondent should have affiliated him to Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and it should have paid his social security contributions from the time he started the job; and that is from the fourth quarter of 2014 up to August 2017. He therefore requests to the Court to order to the Company to have
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him registered with RSSB, and pay for him all his unpaid social security contributions. The respondent pleads by stating that it should not pay for him the social security contributions since he has never been the Company’s formal employee. Held :1. Is considered as worker governed by employment contract, but which is unwritten, any worker who works for a period of at least six consecutive months offering regular services to the same employer. Any worker who alleges to be so considered, must produce elements of evidence proving that he/she has been regularly working under the above mentioned conditions. 2. Each worker must have the social security contributions paid, even if he/she works in informal sector or temporarily. The application for the judgment review on grounds of injustice is founded in part. Statutes referred to: Law No 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, article 12. Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 governing labour in Rwanda, articles 1, 15, 33 and 47. Law No 15/2004 of 12/06/2004 relating to evidence and its production, article 3. Law No 06/ 2003 of 22/03/2003 modifying and completing the Decree-law of 22/08/1974 determining Social Security Scheme, article 2
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Law No 51/2001 of 30/12/2001 governing labour in Rwanda, articles 17, 29, and 33. Cases referred to: RSOCAA 0023/09/CS; Phoenix Metal v. Rwanteli Ntagara Innocent rendered by the Supreme Court on18/06/2010. Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) concluded a transportation contract with Hayton Ltd on 09/09/2014. Hayton Ltd had to look for the manpower for loading and unloading boxes of medical products and other items that RBC intended to distribute across the country. It is under such a situation that Hayton Ltd hired the workers to help accomplishing the above mentioned tasks. Nsengiyumva Ismaël submits that he worked for Hayton Ltd without employment contract from 2014 to 2017, the time on which when he reported at his usual workplace, he got informed that his work has ended.
Nsengiyumva Ismaël first submitted his claim to the Labour Inspector in Gasabo District. On 29/05/2020; a related statement was made, and it indicated that the undertaken negotiations did not work out, and Nsengiyumva Ismaël filed a claim before the Courts.
Before the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare, Nsengiyumva Ismaël stated that Hayton Ltd has illegally dismissed him and he requested for damages for illegal dismissal,
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notice allowance, terminal benefits, the work certificate and related damages, unpaid leave, social security contributions, advocate fee, procedural fee and court fee.
On 29/10/2019, the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare heard the case RSOC 00010/2018/TGI/NYG and held that the claim filed by Nsengiyumva Ismaël is unfounded since he only used to be occasionally hired as a daily worker and therefore he was not illegally dismissed as he alleges, it held that the damages should not be granted in this case and the court fee deposited for filing the claim covers the expenses of the proceedings ; and it is borne to the Public Treasury.
Nsengiyumva Ismaël appealed against the above ruling before the High Court, Chamber of Rwamagana, he submits that due to the fact that the lower court held that he was not illegally dismissed because he was he was a daily worker, it disregarded the elements of evidence it noticed, that he regularly worked for Hayton Ltd from 2014 up to 2017, when he was suspended.
On 31/08/2020, the High Court, Chamber of Rwamagana heard the case RSOCA 00013/2019/HC/RWG and held that the appeal filed by Nsengiyumva Ismaël is unfounded, the Court upheld that the appealed ruling is sustained, and it ordered that the damages should not be granted in the case since both parties defaulted on some of the obligations.
For making the above decision, the Court explained that Nsengiyumva Ismaël should have been considered as a regular worker governed by fixed-tern employment contract, since he worked for a period of more than six consecutive months, instead of being considered as a daily worker, but his dismissal was not illegal as it was caused by the fact that the contract between RBC
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and Hayton Ltd was terminated. With regard to the issue of payment of his social security contributions, the Court explained that though article 47 (6) of the Law n0 13/2009 of the 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda provides that the employer must affiliate all the employees to the social security scheme regardless of whether they are daily workers or governed by written or unwritten employment contract, Nsengiyumva Ismaël deprived himself of the right provided under the law because he worked for all the three years for Hayton Ltd Company without having his social security contributions paid, and he thereby never sued the Employer for the issue while he was still in service.
Nsengiyumva Ismaël petitioned the President of the Court of Appeal requesting for the review of the case RSOCA 00013/2019/HC/RWG on grounds of injustice. His application was examined and the Present of the Court of Appeal wrote a letter to the President of the Supreme Court requesting for the concerned case review. In his decision n0 156/CJ/2022 of 26/08/2022, the President of the Supreme Court permitted the requested case review and the case was sent to the Registry of the Supreme Court and it was docketed as RS/INJUST/RSOC 00006/2022/SC.
In his submission, Nsengiyumva Ismaël argued that the alleged injustice lies in the fact that Hayton Ltd, a Company he regularly worked for has illegally dismissed him and the Court did not grant to him the damages related to such dismissal. In addition, Nsengiyumva Ismaël stated that Hayton Ltd never paid for his social security contributions, and he prayed the Court to order for their payment. Hayton Ltd pleaded about those submissions by submitting that Nsengiyumva Ismaël has never been the Company’s regular employee since he was only a daily
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worker. Hayton Ltd argued that there has never been any illegal dismissal that might call for terminal benefits, and that the Company had no legal obligation for remitting his social security contributions.
The case was heard in public on 20/03/2023, Nsengiyumva Ismaël was assisted by Counsel Uwiragiye Pierre Célestin together with Counsel Ndayambaje Gilbert, while Ruzibiza Rodrigue, the Managing Director of Hayton Ltd, was assisted by Counsel Mugenzi Elie.
For this case, the involved parties debated on the following issues: - Whether Nsengiyumva Ismaël was illegally dismissed from his employment so that he deserves damages; - Whether Hayton Ltd must be compelled to remit the plaintiff’s social security contributions in RSSB; - The issues related to the counsel and procedural fees at all levels of proceedings. II. ANALYSIS OF LEGAL ISSUES OF THE CASE 1. Whether Nsengiyumva Ismaël was illegally dismissed from his employment so that he deserves damages
Counsel Uwiragiye Pierre Célestin together with Counsel Ndayambaje Gilbert who both assisted Nsengiyumva Ismaël argue that their client has been illegally dismissed from his employment, arguing that the plaintiff worked for Hayton Ltd
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from 09/09/2014 up to August 2017, stating that it is after this period of three years that the employer informed him of the end of his services, and he got an immediate dismissal without any prior notice, yet he had been working under indefinite term employment contract. They argued that for all the three years, Nsengiyumva Ismaël had been working as permanent employee of Hayton Ltd, and he was in charge of loading, unloading and packing boxes of RBC’s medical products according to their types, those services were specified on pages 21 and 22 of the contract that RBC had concluded with Hayton Ltd where they indicate the services that would be regularly provided and the worker’s monthly salary; and thus differing from the arguments of Hayton Ltd that they were daily workers.
They further submit that the elements of evidence that prove that Nsengiyumva Ismaël was a regular employee include the work attendance lists that all the workers signed every morning; and they therefore assert that Nsengiyumva Ismaël was the Company’s regular employee. They submit that they have only managed to find work attendance lists for the years 2016 and 2017, lamenting a fact of not finding the lists for the other years since their request for securing the missing lists from RBC was not honoured. They also argue that another evidence that prove that the plaintiffs worked for Hayton Ltd include RBC’s letter of 27/09/2017, by which RBC clarified that the workers who helped for the project of MPPD (Medical Procurement Product Division) were for Hayton Ltd which had been awarded the tender, and any issue related to the workers should be referred to Hayton Ltd.
In terms of legal reference, they rely on article one, article 15, paragraph one, article 29 and article 33 of the Law n0 51/2001 of 30/12/2001 regulating labour in Rwanda which was into force
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at the time the plaintiffs worked for the Company till the time of their contract termination ; they state that the above articles indicate that he was a regular worker governed by unwritten contract, so that he could not be dismissed without notice and other benefits provided under the law. They also based their argument on the judgment RSOCAA 0023/09/CS opposing Phoenix Metal against Rwanteli Ntagara Innocent rendered by the Supreme Court on 18/06/2010 where the Supreme Court explained the illegal dismissal of a worker and the related terminal benefits.
Nsengiyumva Ismaël explains that Hayton Ltd has never picked him on casual workers recruiting waiting sites as Hayton Ltd puts it forth, arguing that from 2009 up to 2012, he was a regular employee of CAMERWA, but when the latter changed into RBC, he kept working within RBC but working for Solidarity Company which later changed to be Abakoranarukundo, later in 2014 they worked for Hayton Ltd. He concludes by sustaining that all these companies kept on passing him and his colleagues on each other, and for all that time, they always worked without written employment contract.
Counsel Mugenzi Elie who assists the Managing Director of Hayton Ltd, avers that Nsengiyumva Ismaël has never been the Company’s regular employee, that he was a daily worker whom they always picked on the casual workers’ recruitment waiting site, that if he had worked for Hayton Ltd from 09/09/2014 up to August 2017 as permanent worker as he alleges, he should be having a written employment contract as per the provisions of article 17 of the above mentioned Law regulating labour, which provides that any worker who worked for a period
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of more than six consecutive months, must have a written contract.
With regard to the work attendance lists that were produced as evidence proving that Nsengiyumva Ismaël was the Company’s regular employee, Counsel Mugenzi Elie submits that though Hayton Ltd has never recognised such lists since they bore no signature by the Company’s Managing Director, such lists and the accompanying signatures constitute an evidence that Nsengiyumva and his colleagues were daily workers; because it is clear that none was a regular employee as the names of the workers kept daily changing and it is obvious that none of them has ever worked for at least 5 days a week.
Ruzibiza Rodrigue, Managing Director of Hayton Ltd, argues that after concluding the contract with RBC, he used to pass by casual workers’ recruitment waiting sites, and pick a certain number of casual workers depending on the available works of loading or unloading the vehicle, and Nsengiyumva Ismaël was among them. He submits that he always brought these workers to RBC and handed them over to the security personnel who then passed them on RBC employee for the work supervision. In the evening, all workers used to line up for pay for and each would get the daily pay, and that is why the Company had no related payroll, since the plaintiffs were just daily workers. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Both parties to this case agree that Nsengiyumva Ismaël worked for Hayton Ltd, they did not conclude a written employment contract. They disagree on the working modalities
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since Nsengiyumva Ismaël argues that he was working under an indefinite term employment contract because he regularly worked for the Company for a period of more than six consecutive months as provided under the law while Hayton Ltd argues that he was a daily worker whom they occasionally hired depending on the availability of the work. It is this issue that has to be first examined for determining whether Nsengiyumva Ismaël has been illegally dismissed from his employment, and whether he deserves related damages.
Article one, paragraph 33 of the Law n0 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda which was into force when Nsengiyumva Ismaël was still working for Hayton Ltd provided that a permanent worker is a worker who is hired for a fixed-term or an unspecified period that lasts for more than six (6) consecutive months with the same employer ; while sub- paragraph 34 provides that a daily worker is a worker who is hired on a day to day basis.
Article 15, paragraph one of the above mentioned Law provides that the contract of employment can be oral or written. It can be signed in the form that is suitable to the contracting parties […]. All the means available may be invoked in its proving.
All the above mentioned articles denote that even when the worker has no written contract from his/her employer, a worker who has regularly worked for a period of at least six consecutive months for the same employer must be considered as a worker governed by employment contract because such situation implies that they have unwritten agreement. However, for asserting such fact, any worker who alleges to be so considered, must produce the elements of evidence that prove that
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he/she has regularly worked for a period of more than six consecutive months.
Article 12, paragraph one of the Law n0 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure provides that the claimant must prove a claim, failing which the respondent wins the case. The provision of the above article corroborates the provision of paragraph one of article 3 of the Law n0 15/2004 of 12/06/2004 relating to Evidence and its production, which provides that each party has a burden of proving his/her allegations.
With regard to this case, Nsengiyumva Ismaël argues that he was the Company’s permanent worker, the elements of evidence he puts forth include the work attendance lists and accompanying signatures that all workers signed every time they reported for work, a copy of a bank cheque used for withdrawing their salaries and a letter written by RBC asserting that he was employee of Hayton Ltd.
With regard to the statements of the Managing Director of Hayton Ltd that he does not recognize those lists as he did not sign on them, the Court finds that they should not be taken into consideration because, in accordance with the contract of 18/09/2015 concluded with RBC, he should not sign on them as, with reference to the “General conditions of the contract” which is also part of this agreement, both parties agreed that the inspection of the contract management would be conducted by
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Mr. Muhoracyeye Plagène, the Project Manager, and it is clear that the latter signed on the lists1.
The work attendance lists that Nsengiyumva Ismaël produced before the Court as evidence to prove that he has been the regular employee of Hayton Ltd, indicate that he worked for the Company as follows: - For the year 2016: • For the month of April, he worked for 17 days; • For the month of May, he only worked for 2 days; • For the month of August, he worked for 15 days; • For the month of September, he worked for 18 days; • For the month of October, he worked for 16 days; • For the month of November, he worked for 19 days. - For the year 2017: • For the month of January, he worked for 8 days.
1 CGG 25.2. For the Purpose of the contract management and inspection, the Project Manager shall be: RBC/MPPD/Muhoracyeye Plagène/warehouse operation manager.
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With reference to the elements of evidence that Nsengiyumva Ismaël has himself produced, the Court finds that his argument of being the Company’s regular employee is not true. For instance, in the year 2016, it is clear that he has never worked for a period of six consecutive months, neither did he complete a month at work. While for the year 2017, he only worked for one month, and moreover for only 8 days. The Court finds that he was a daily worker for a salary of 1,363 Frw per day as evidenced by the letter of 30/05/2017 addressed by himself and his co-workers to RBC seeking an advocacy for salary increment. The Court finds that the fact that Nsengiyumva Ismaël does not admit that they wrote such letter cannot be taken into consideration because he relied on it before the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare by stating that it is included in the elements of evidence which prove that they were permanent workers2.
With regard to other elements of evidence he produced, the Court finds that the bank cheque he submitted does not constitute an evidence that can prove that he was the Company’s regular employee, because such cheque does not indicate any other detail apart from the amount of money that was paid to Tuyisenge Gashugi. Concerning the letter written by RBC on 27/09/2017, the Court finds that such letter does not indicate that Nsengiyumva Ismaël has been the Company’s permanent employee; rather, as stated by himself, the letter only indicates that he was one of the employees of Hayton Ltd and the latter has never denied such fact.
Basing on the article one, paragraph 33 and the article 15, paragraph one of the above mentioned Law n0 13/2009 of 27/05/2009, as well as on the abovementioned articles related to
2 See paragraph 7 of that case.
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the elements of evidence and the elucidations that have so far been provided, the Court finds that Nsengiyumva Ismaël has produced no single evidence that can prove that he has regularly worked for Hayton Ltd for a period of at least six consecutive months for being considered as the worker governed by the contract. The Court therefore finds that Nsengiyumva Ismaël has not been illegally dismissed since he has never been the Company’s permanent employee as it has been above explained.
Having noted that Nsengiyumva Ismaël has not been illegally dismissed from his employment due to the fact that he has never been legally permanent employee of Hayton Ltd, the Court finds that it is not necessary to examine the issue concerning the claimed damages related to his dismissal. 2. Whether Hayton Ltd must pay social security contributions for Nsengiyumva Ismaël
Counsel Uwiragiye Pierre Célestin and Counsel Ndayambaje Gilbert who assist Nsengiyumva Ismaël submit that Hayton Ltd should have affiliated Nsengiyumva Ismaël to Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) from 09/09/2014; it should have paid for him the contributions for the fourth quarter of 2014, the contributions for 2015, 2016 and 2017 until August. They state that the above mentioned contributions must be computed with reference to a basic salary of 95,000 Frw x15%, that rate is indicated on the website of Rwanda Social Security Board: www.imisanzu.rssb.rw, such is equivalent to 14,250 Frw per month; therefore, they request to the Court to order to Hayton Ltd to affiliate Nsengiyumva Ismaël to Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), and remit all his unpaid social security contributions.
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[32] Counsel Mugenzi Elie who assist the Managing Director of Hayton Ltd submits that the social security contributions should not be paid for Nsengiyumva Ismaël because he has never been the employee of Hayton Ltd. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 2, paragraph one of the Law n0 06/2003 of 22/03/2003 modifying and complementing the Decree-Law of 22/08/1974 relating to Social Security Scheme, provides that this Legislation concerns workers under Labour regulations, non- retired political appointees, and Statutes-governed public servants; while paragraph two of the above article stipulates that temporary workers shall as well be considered as workers mentioned under paragraph one of this article …
Article 47, sub-paragraph 6 of the Law n0 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 governing labour in Rwanda when Nsengiyumva Ismaël was working for Hayton Ltd, provided that one of the employer’s obligations is to affiliate the workers to the social security scheme.
The above mentioned articles denote that, in any circumstance, each worker’s social security contributions must be remitted, even if he/she works in informal sector or he/she is employed for temporary services.
As it has been above explained, Nsengiyumva Ismaël was daily worker for Hayton Ltd for a period of time that is specified under paragraph 26 of this case. For all that period, he was entitled to have his social security contributions remitted as per the provisions of sub-paragraph of the article 47 of the above
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mentioned Law n0 13/2009 of 27/05/2009, since such is the employer’s obligation.
Regarding the statements of Hayton Ltd that it should not pay the social security contributions for Nsengiyumva Ismaël, basing on the fact that he was never employed as worker governed by the contract, the Court finds that they are unfounded because each worker is entitled to the payment of social security contributions, irrespective of the employment modalities, the Court bases its position on the paragraphs one and two of article 2 of the above mentioned Law n0 22/03/2003 and sub-paragraph 6 of article 47 of the aforementioned Law n0 13/2009 of 27/05/2009.
With reference to all the above provided explanations, the Court finds that Hayton Ltd should approach Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and proceed with the computation of the social security contributions to be paid for Nsengiyumva Ismaël for all the period he worked for the Company and such calculation will be based on 1,363 Frw per day as it has been above clarified. 3. Concerning the counsel and procedural fees at all levels of proceedings
Counsel Uwiragiye Pierre Célestin and Counsel Ndayambaje Gilbert who assist Nsengiyumva Ismaël argue that Hayton Ltd should pay to him 3,000,000 Frw for the counsel fee and 300,000 Frw for the procedural fee at the level of all courts, the total is 3,300,000 Frw and he should be refunded 60,000 Frw deposited at the level of the lower courts.
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Counsel Mugenzi Elie who assist the Managing Director of Hayton Ltd avers that Nsengiyumva Ismaël does not deserve damages because it is him who dragged himself in unnecessary lawsuits; rather, he must pay to Hayton Ltd the damages amounting to 2,000,000 Frw for dragging the Company in unnecessary lawsuits and 1,000,000 Frw for the counsel fee.
Nsengiyumva Ismaël sustains that he should not pay to Hayton Ltd the damages as it seized the courts for exercising his rights for the sake of justice. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
The Court finds that Nsengiyumva Ismaël deserves the damages for procedural and counsel fees he claims because it is evident that the judgment for which he sought review is tainted with injustice and it is clear that he had to hire a lawyer for assisting him for the case from the lower courts up to this level. However, the Court finds that the claimed sum of 3,300,000 Frw is excessive and unjustified; therefore, in its discretion, the Court grants to him the procedural and counsel fees as follows: - 300,000 Frw at the level of the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare; - 300, 000 Frw at the level of the High Court, Chamber of Rwamagana; - 800,000 Frw at the level of the Supreme Court.
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III. DECISION OF THE COURT [43] Holds that the application filed by Nsengiyumva Ismaël seeking the injustice-related review of the judgment RSOCA 00013/2019/HC/RWG rendered by the High Court, Chamber of Rwamagana on 31/08/2022 has merit in part. [44] Holds that the reviewed case is overruled on the issue concerning the social security contributions that Hayton Ltd must pay for Nsengiyumva Ismaël. [45] Orders to Hayton Ltd to pay for Nsengiyumva Ismaël all his social security contributions for all the days he worked for the years 2016 and 2017, as above expounded. [46] Orders to Hayton Ltd to pay to Nsengiyumva Ismaël the following damages for procedural and counsel fees as follows: - 300,000 Frw at the level of the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare; - 300,000 Frw at the level of the High Court, Chamber of Rwamagana; - 800,000 Frw at the level of the Supreme Court. [47] Orders to Hayton Ltd to refund to Nsengiyumva Ismaël 60,000 Frw for the court fee he deposited at the level of the lower courts.
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NYIRABWIZA v UNGUKA BANK Plc [Rwanda COURT OF APPEAL – RS/INJUST/RSOC 00011/2022/CA – (Nyirandabaruta, P.J., Ngagi and Kamere, J.) 20 April 2023] Labor procedure – Employment contract – Dismissal for economic reasons – Notifying the labour inspector –Timing of notification to the labour inspector – The labour inspector must be notified of the list of employees to be dismissed for economic reasons prior to the dismissal of employees. The inspector must be given the opportunity to verify that the individuals on the list are indeed those to be dismissed and that the dismissal is being carried out in accordance with the law. Law regulating labour – Employment contract – Termination of indefinite term employment contract – The notice – If the employer opts to convert the notice period into a monetary payment, it is considered that the notice has been given, and therefore no additional compensation is required. Facts: This case began before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, Nyirabwiza states that she had an indefinite employment contract with UNGUKA BANK Plc, where she had worked for over ten (10) years. On 30/07/2018, she was surprised to receive a letter terminating her employment contract due to economic reasons. She asserts that her dismissal was in violation of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour into force at that time. Nyirabwiza further avers that she was not given notice and she is seeking damages for unlawful dismissal, compensation for lack 103
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of notice, terminal benefits, and reimbursement of counsel and procedural fees. The Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge found that Nyirabwiza was unlawfully dismissed and awarded her various damages. At the appeal instance, however, the High Court ruled that UNGUKA BANK Plc had complied with the law, confirming that the notice had been issued. Nyirabwiza applied for the case to be reviewed on the grounds of injustice, her request was granted. She argued that the injustice arose from the fact that the High Court confirmed compliance with the provisions of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, while it was untrue. She added that the provisions regarding notice and other matters related to unlawful dismissal had not been observed. Nyirabwiza further stated that the Court erroneously ruled that notifying the Labour Inspector of the list of dismissed employees from UNGUKA BANK Plc was sufficient, regardless of the timing of the notifications to both the Labour Inspector and the employees, such stance contradicted the precedents set by the Court in similar cases. Additionally, she claimed that the Court failed to recognize her right to be notified of the list before it was submitted to the Labour Inspector, which was not done. The defendant argues that the key issue to be analysed in this case is whether the conditions for notifying the Labour Inspector were met, as this was the focus of the High Court's decision. It further contends that no laws were violated because the legislator did not set a specific time limit for notifying the Labour Inspector. Therefore, by notifying the Labour Inspector at the same time as the plaintiff, no law was breached. Additionally, the plaintiff was not dismissed on the day the Labour Inspector was notified of the dismissal for economic reasons, but rather on the day the one- month notice period was given, during which she remained
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legally employed by the defendant. As such, the issue of advance notice of the list of dismissed workers is not relevant to the issues that need to be considered in this case. Held: 1. The labour inspector must be notified of the list of employees to be dismissed for economic reasons prior to the dismissal of employees. The inspector must be given the opportunity to verify that the individuals on the list are indeed those to be dismissed and that the dismissal is being carried out in accordance with the law. Therefore, the fact that Unguka Bank Plc notified the Labor Inspectorate of the list of employees to be dismissed for economic reasons on the same day that Nyirabwiza Justine was dismissed suggests that Unguka Bank Plc treated the notification as a mere formality, which is contrary to the provisions of the law. 2. If the employer opts to convert the notice period into a monetary payment, it is considered that the notice has been given, and therefore no additional compensation is required. Therefore, since Unguka Bank Plc did not provide the notice period but instead compensated Nyirabwiza Justine with an amount equivalent to the salary and other benefits she would have received during the notice period, and she does not deny that she received them, Unguka Bank Plc has complied with the provisions of the law. Application for the review of the judgment on grounds of being vitiated by injustice has merit in part. Court fees are borne by the defendant.
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Statutes and statutory instruments referred to: Law No 66/2018 of 30/08/2018 regulating labour in Rwanda, article 29; Law Nº30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, article 55; Law Nº22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, article 111; Law Nº 45/2011 of 25/11/2011 governing contracts, articles 64 and 70; Law N° 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, articles 21, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33 and 34. Cases referred to: Niwemugeni Jeannette v. KCB Bank Rwanda Plc, RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rendered by the Supreme Court on 31/01/2020; Ngizweninshuti v. Muhima, RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 21/02/2020; Rugenera Marc v. Soras Assurances Générales Ltd (SORAS AG), RSOCAA 0003/15/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 05/05/2016; Ntukamazina Jean Baptiste v. Prime Insurance Ltd (PRIME), RSOCAA 0001&0002/16/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 14/10/2016; Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré v. Bank of Kigali Ltd, RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 18/01/2013; Coopérative de Développement des Anciens Chauffeurs de l’Etat (CODACE) v. Ntaganda, RS/INJUST/RCOM 00006/2021/CA rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/06/2022;
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Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd v. Niyonsaba Clémentine, RSOCA 00206/2018/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 24/05/2019; Uwimana Marie Paul et al. v. Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd, RSOCA 00224/2018/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 24/05/2019; Banque Populaire du Rwanda Ltd v. Sekamana Naason et al. RSOCA 00017/2018/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 30/11/2018. Authors quoted: François Gaudu et Raymonde Vatinet, Droit du travail, 5e édition, Dalloz, 2013, p. 213-214. Gilles Auzero et Emmanuel Dockes; Droit du travail, 30e édition, Dalloz, 2016, p. 610, 619. Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
This case began before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, Nyirabwiza Justine stated that she had an indefinite employment contract with UNGUKA BANK Plc, where she had worked for over ten (10) years. She submitted that on 30/07/2018, she was unexpectedly presented with a letter terminating her contract due to alleged economic reasons. Nyirabwiza argued that her dismissal violated Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour at the time and that she had not been given notice prior to her dismissal. Consequently, she sought damages for unlawful dismissal, compensation in lieu of notice, as well as procedural and counsel fees.
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UNGUKA BANK Plc submitted that Nyirabwiza Justine was employed by the Bank from 31/01/2008 to 30/07/2018. The Bank stated that her employment contract was terminated on 30/07/2018 due to economic reasons, asserting that the dismissal was carried out in full compliance with the law. It further claimed that Nyirabwiza was provided with compensation in lieu of notice and, therefore, should not be awarded the damages she is requesting.
In the judgment RSOC 00012/2019/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge on 28/02/2020, the Court ruled that Nyirabwiza Justine's claim was partially valid, and that she had been unlawfully dismissed from her job. The Court ordered to UNGUKA BANK Plc to pay her 4,556,052 Frw as damages for the illegal dismissal, 500,000 Frw for counsel fees, and to refund her the 20,000 Frw court fee she had deposited.
UNGUKA BANK Plc was not satisfied with the judgment and appealed to the High Court, arguing that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge had ruled that the employment contract was unlawfully terminated, but did not consider the reasons for the termination. Additionally, the Bank argued that the damages had been calculated based on the employee's gross salary instead of her net salary.
On 17/11/2020, the High Court delivered the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, ruling that the appeal of UNGUKA BANK Plc was justified, while Nyirabwiza Justine's appeal lacked merit, and thus the judgment under appeal was reversed. The Court held that the amount of 4,556,052 Frw as damages for unlawful dismissal, as well as the court fees that UNGUKA BANK Plc had been ordered to pay to Nyirabwiza
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Justine, should not be awarded to her. Instead, Nyirabwiza Justine was ordered to pay to UNGUKA BANK Plc 500,000 Frw for counsel fees, 100,000 Frw as procedural fees, and to refund the amount of 40,000 Frw that the Bank had deposited as court fees.
Nyirabwiza Justine appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal, requesting that the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG should be reviewed on the grounds of injustice. After considering her request, the President of the Court of Appeal wrote to the President of the Supreme Court, requesting confirmation that the judgment should be reviewed on the grounds of injustice. By the decision 207/CJ/2022, the President of the Supreme Court decided that the judgment should be reviewed on the grounds of injustice and transferred it to the Court of Appeal to be reheard, and the case was registered under the number RS/INJUST/RSOC 00011/2022/CA.
The case was heard in public on 11/04/2023, Nyirabwiza Justine was represented by Counsel Munyandatwa Nkuba Milton and Counsel Ntaganda Rwamulima Anicet, while UNGUKA BANK Plc was represented by Counsel Nkeza Sempundu Clément.
Nyirabwiza Justine's legal counsel argued that the injustice their client suffered stems from the High Court's ruling, which confirmed that the provisions of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda were respected, they aver that such is untrue. They also argued that the notice requirements were not respected, and raised other issues related to the consequences of illegal dismissal. UNGUKA BANK Plc's legal counsel submitted that the key issue in this case
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is whether the conditions for notifying the Labour Inspector were respected, as this was the focus of the High Court's consideration. I. ANALYSIS OF LEGAL ISSUES OF THE CASE
The debate in this case is based on the following issues, which must be analysed: - Whether Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed from her employment and the consequences thereof; - Whether Nyirabwiza Justine was given proper notice when UNGUKA BANK Plc terminated her employment contract; - Whether Nyirabwiza Justine should be reimbursed the money ordered by the Court to be paid to UNGUKA BANK Plc; - Whether the procedural fees, counsel fees, court fees, and damages for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits are justified. Whether Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed from her employment and the consequences thereof
The legal counsel of Nyirabwiza Justine contend that the High Court, in the judgment RSOCA 00109/2020/HC/KIG, under review on grounds of injustice, stated that UNGUKA BANK Plc notified the Labour Inspector of the list of dismissed workers on 30/07/2018 because the law so provides. They argue that the fact that the list was notified to the Labour Inspector on the same day as the letters of dismissal were sent to the dismissed
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employees was not an error because the law does not specify when the Labour Inspector must be notified, especially since there was nothing which precludes to do so. However, they assert that this reasoning does not take into account the provisions of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour, which was into force by the time of Nyirabwiza Justine's dismissal. This article states that before dismissing workers for economic reasons, the ranking of dismissals shall be done in accordance with the performance, professional qualifications, time spent in the enterprise, and social charges of each worker, those elements should be taken into consideration as listed. The employer informs the competent labour inspector in a written form.
They argue that the Court's ruling that there was no breach of the law in UNGUKA BANK Plc's notification of the list of employees to be dismissed to the Labour Inspector because such notification was sufficient regardless of the timing, contradicts the stance provided by the Supreme Court in the judgment RSOCAA 0014/12/CS of Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré vs. Bank of Kigali Ltd, particularly in paragraphs 27-29. In paragraph 28, the Court decided that: "Notifying the labour inspector is not only a formality but also a necessity. The legislator has not merely provided for it. The reason why the legislator provided for it was to enable the labour inspector to verify whether those on the list were indeed the ones to be dismissed and whether the dismissal was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the law."
They also contend that these explanations are reflected in the labour judgments rendered by the High Court, including the judgment RSOCA 00206/2018/HC/KIG, Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd v. Niyonsaba Clémentine, where paragraphs 13-17
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clarify how the article should be interpreted. Additionally, the judgment RSOCA 00224/2018/HC/KIG, Uwimana Marie Paul et al. v. Urwego Opportunity Bank Ltd, provides further elucidations in paragraphs 14-21, and the judgment RSOCA 00017/2018/HC/KIG, Banque Populaire du Rwanda Ltd v. Sekamana Naason et al., highlights the relevant points in paragraphs 18 and 22. However, in rendering the judgment under review on the grounds of injustice, the High Court overlooked these precedents and failed to recognize that Nyirabwiza Justine had the right to be notified of the list even before it was submitted to the Labour Inspector, and this was not done.
They also add that Nyirabwiza Justine challenges the economic reasons given by UNGUKA BANK Plc in the dismissal letter, arguing that there is no evidence that these reasons existed at the time of her dismissal. This contention is supported by evidence provided by UNGUKA BANK Plc itself, which shows that on 31/08/2018, it requested authorisation from BNR to close some of its branches, and BNR responded on 15/10/2018, three months after Nyirabwiza Justine's dismissal. Furthermore, she was not employed in the branches that were to be closed and therefore could not be affected by this decision. They claim that another reason for their client's criticism of the economic rationale given by UNGUKA BANK Plc is that in the same month of October, the Bank opened a new branch. They argue that if the Bank was really facing the financial difficulties, it would not have opened additional branches and hired new staff after dismissing existing staff.
They further contend that the statements made by UNGUKA BANK Plc that the termination of Nyirabwiza Justine's contract was based on her performance evaluation,
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which resulted in placing on the list of dismissed employees, are unfounded. They argue that the evaluation was conducted in a manner contrary to the procedures outlined in the employment contract she signed with the Bank, specifically the "performance contract" and the "Human Resource Manual." This is evident in the "performance contract" dated 05/09/2018, between Nyirabwiza Justine and UNGUKA BANK Plc, where Article 4 regarding "performance evaluation procedures" states that: “Before submission of the self-assessment as per set deadline, the supervisor has the responsibility to discuss and arbitrate such performance self-assessment together with the employee in 2 days after and have such the evaluation closed and filled with HR on the 5th day without fail.”
They explain that Article 6 of the performance contract clearly stipulates that if an employee scores less than 50% in two consecutive terms, the employment contract will be terminated. This is also stated in clause 9.5.2 of UNGUKA BANK Plc's "Manuel de Procédure" in its penultimate paragraph, where both documents indicate that an employee who scores below 50% in two consecutive terms will have the contract terminated, but only after being warned in advance. They assert that UNGUKA BANK Plc's claim that one of the grounds for terminating Nyirabwiza Justine's employment was her performance score of less than 50% is unfounded and contrary to what was agreed upon. They argue that this justification is baseless as it contradicts the provisions of the labour law into force at that time, as well as Articles 64 and 70 of Law No 45/2011 of 25/11/2011 governing contracts, which emphasize that contracts made in accordance with the law are binding between the parties and must be performed in good faith.
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The legal counsel of UNGUKA BANK Plc submits that, in the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, Nyirabwiza Justine v. UNGUKA BANK Plc, there was no breach of law because the legislator did not set a specific time limit for notifying the labour inspector. Therefore, by notifying the labour inspector at the same time as Nyirabwiza Justine, no legal provision was violated. Additionally, Nyirabwiza Justine was not dismissed on the day on which the labour inspector was informed about the dismissal of employees of UNGUKA BANK Plc for economic reasons. Instead, the labour inspector was notified on the same day on which Nyirabwiza Justine was given a month's notice, and at that time, she was still an employee of UNGUKA BANK Plc. This was in accordance with the provisions of Article 27, paragraph 2, of Law No 13/2009 regulating labour, which was into force at that time, as well as the current Article 29 of Law No 66/2018 of 30/08/2018 regulating labour in Rwanda. Her employment contract with UNGUKA BANK Plc was officially terminated on 30/08/2018.
He further submits that, regarding Nyirabwiza Justine's claim that she had the right to be notified of the list of dismissed workers before it was submitted to the labour inspector, the High Court clearly explained in the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, in paragraph 9, that this procedure is not stipulated by the law, and therefore, failure to comply with it would not constitute a violation of the provisions of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour. Additionally, Nyirabwiza Justine did not challenge the explanation (motivation) provided by the High Court. Since the review of a judgment on grounds of injustice is a special appeal, the scope of the case is determined by the specific criticisms raised by the applicant regarding the judgment under review, as explained in
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the manual outlining the procedure for such cases, on page 45. Therefore, Nyirabwiza Justine did not raise any criticism regarding her right to be notified in advance of the list of dismissed employees by UNGUKA BANK Plc on 30/07/2018 since this issue does not fall within the scope of what should be considered in this case.
He further states that regarding Nyirabwiza Justine's criticism of the economic reasons cited by UNGUKA BANK Plc for her dismissal, the representative of UNGUKA BANK Plc argues that this issue should not be considered because it was not raised at either the first instance or appeal level. In the first instance, three issues were raised: determining the consequences of non-compliance with the mandatory procedure for reducing employees for economic reasons; the issue of other compensations arising from the mistakes of UNGUKA BANK Plc and the consequences they caused; and determining whether all the formalities required in the event of a reduction of workers for economic reasons were observed. Thus, it is understood that Nyirabwiza Justine agreed with UNGUKA BANK Plc regarding the existence of economic reasons, but only criticized the failure to follow the proper procedure.
The legal counsel further asserts that in the judgment No RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, UNGUKA BANK Plc appealed the issue of whether the Labour Inspector had been notified in accordance with the law, as well as the basis of the damages ordered at the first instance. In the cross-appeal, Nyirabwiza Justine requested an increase in the calculated damages. Therefore, the legal counsel argues that she cannot request that the judgment No RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG should be reviewed on the grounds of injustice based on issues that were
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not examined in that judgment. This confirms that the case she challenges is different from the one she originally had against UNGUKA BANK Plc. The Supreme Court, in the judgment RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/CS rendered on 21/02/2020, in paragraphs 20 and 21, ruled that the party must indicate the injustice contained in the judgment under criticism, specifically what the Court did wrongly or omitted to do. This is also the stance relied on by the Court of Appeal in the judgment RS/INJUST/RCOM 00006/2021/CA rendered on 17/06/2022, where the Court found that the claimed damages had not been adjudicated at the level of the judgment review on grounds of injustice and, therefore, should not be considered.
The Bank's legal counsel also argues that the issue of Nyirabwiza Justine's performance evaluation cannot be used as grounds to claim that the judgment RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG wronged her because this issue was never raised at the first instance nor was it relied upon in that judgment. Furthermore, Nyirabwiza Justine did not submit this issue to the Labour Inspector or to the previous courts, as she had accepted the evaluation that was conducted. Even if she was dissatisfied with her performance evaluation score, but did not sue for it, she cannot now claim that the Court wronged her based on the performance evaluation, as this matter has never been previously adjudicated.
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DETERMINATION OF THE COURT Whether Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed from her employment
The debate in this case primarily revolves around whether UNGUKA BANK Plc adhered to the provisions of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 above mentioned in dismissing Nyirabwiza Justine for economic reasons, specifically whether the Bank complied with the requirements to notify the Labour Inspector.
Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, which was into force at the time of Nyirabwiza Justine's dismissal, provides as follows: The employer may proceed to dismiss individual or collective worker(s) due to economic reason, internal reorganization or consecutive restructuring for economic difficulties or technological transfers with the aim of protecting the competitiveness of the enterprise. In such a case the dismissal ranking shall be done in accordance with the performance, professional qualification, time spent in the enterprise and social charges of each worker. The employer informs the competent labour inspector in a written form.
The Court finds that the issue of notifying the Labour Inspector of the list of employees dismissed for economic reasons was addressed by the Supreme Court in its judgment RSOCAA 0014/12/CS, Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré v. Bank of Kigali Ltd, where it explained that the establishment of a list of workers to be dismissed under the conditions set out in Article 34 of the aforementioned law and its notification to the Labour Inspector is not merely a formality, but is intended to allow proper
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verification, thereby ensuring that the legal requirements are met1.
The case file contains a letter dated 30/07/2018, terminating the employment contract between UNGUKA BANK Plc and Nyiramwiza Justine. In this letter, UNGUKA BANK Plc expresses regret in informing her that her employment contract has been terminated for economic reasons. The letter further states that the termination would take immediate effect on 30/07/2018, and that she would receive all entitlements as required by law not later than 31 July 2018 after completing the handover. Additionally, it mentions that she would be paid for the 30 days' notice period. The file also shows that on 30/07/2018, UNGUKA BANK Plc notified the Labour Inspector of the list of employees to be dismissed for economic reasons.
With regard to determining whether the notification to the Labour Inspector was made in a lawful manner, Article 34 in fine does not specify the exact timing for when the employer must notify the Labour Inspector of the list of workers dismissed for economic reasons and how this list was prepared. It only stipulates that the Labour Inspector must be notified.
The Court finds that although this article does not specify the exact timing for notifying the Labour Inspector of the list, it is important to consider the reason behind this requirement. According to the legal experts, the Labour Inspector is
1 See paragraph 28 of the judgment RSOCAA 0014/12/CS, Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré v. Bank of Kigali Ltd rendered on 18/01/2013.
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responsible for monitoring compliance with labour laws and regulations2.
Considering the provisions of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009, and reconciling them with the explanation provided by the Supreme Court in the judgment RSOCAA 0014/12/CS, Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré vs. Bank of Kigali Ltd, where it is stated that notifying the Labour Inspector is not merely a formality but a necessary step to ensure compliance with the law, and further supported by legal documents which explain that the Labour Inspector is responsible for verifying adherence to labour laws and regulations, the Court finds that this implies that the list of workers to be dismissed for economic reasons must be submitted to the Labour Inspector before the dismissal takes place. In other words, the Labour Inspector must be informed of the list in advance and given the opportunity to verify whether the individuals on the list are the appropriate candidates for dismissal and whether the list has been drawn up in accordance with legal requirements.
The Court finds that in its analysis of the above- mentioned article, the High Court ruled that the labour law did not stipulate a specific deadline for submitting the list of employees to the Labour Inspector, nor did it grant the Labour Inspector the authority to approve or request changes to the list of employees to be dismissed for economic reasons. The High Court further stated that providing the list to the Labour Inspector prior to the dismissal was not beneficial to either the employee or
2 L’inspection du travail est chargée d’assurer le contrôle de l’application des prescriptions légales et réglementaires en matière du travail (Françoise Favennec-Hery Pierre-Yves Verkindt, Droit du travail, 6e édition, Paris, LGDJ, 2020, p. 496).
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the employer. However, this opinion of the High Court contradicts the decision made by the Supreme Court in case RSOCAA 0014/12/CS (Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré v. Bank of Kigali Ltd), which clarified that notifying the Labour Inspector is not merely a formality but is necessary for a thorough examination to ensure that the dismissal is conducted in accordance with the law. Furthermore, no subsequent decision by the Supreme Court has overturned this precedent, which firmly establishes that the notification of the Labour Inspector is a substantive legal requirement aimed at ensuring the law is properly followed.
The Court finds that the High Court should have recognized that UNGUKA BANK Plc's act of notifying the Labour Inspector of the list of employees to be dismissed on the same day it informed Nyirabwiza Justine that her dismissal would be effective immediately was a mere formality. This action was contrary to the purpose of Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 mentioned above.
The Court finds that the statements made by the legal counsel of UNGUKA BANK Plc, claiming that the judgment RSOCAA 0014/12/CS rendered on 18/01/2013, Musoni wa Rwihimba Désiré v. Bank of Kigali Ltd., is not applicable to this case because in that instance no list was drawn up, are baseless. The key issue is that the Supreme Court analysed Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 and clarified that notifying the Labour Inspector of the list of employees to be dismissed is not merely a formality. Therefore, UNGUKA BANK Plc's act of notifying the Labour Inspector on the same day it dismissed Nyirabwiza Justine indicates that the Bank treated the notification as a formality,
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which is contrary to the intent of Article 34 of the aforementioned Law No 13/2009.
The Court further finds that the statements made by the legal counsel of UNGUKA BANK Plc, asserting that Nyirabwiza Justine remained an employee of UNGUKA BANK Plc until 30/08/2018, are unfounded. This assertion seems to imply that the Labour Inspector was notified of the list before Nyirabwiza Justine was dismissed. However, as previously stated, UNGUKA BANK Plc informed Nyirabwiza Justine that she was no longer its employee as of 30/07/2018.
Based on the foregoing elucidations, the Court finds that Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed. Therefore, the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 17/11/2020 is vitiated by injustice on this point.
The Court finds that the other reasons put forward by Nyirabwiza Justine's legal counsel to explain why Article 34 of Law No 13/2009 was not complied with, such as the manner in which the evaluation marks were awarded and the absence of economic reasons, no longer require examination. This is because the Court has already determined that Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed, based on the failure to communicate the list of dismissed workers to the Labour Inspector in a timely manner before the decision to dismiss her was made. These additional reasons were intended solely to emphasize her unlawful dismissal and the violation of the law.
The Court finds that, having established that Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed, it is necessary to assess the consequences, specifically the basis for the quantity of moral damages that she seeks.
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Determination of the basis and amount of the moral damages claimed by Nyirabwiza Justine
Article 33 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, which was into force at the time of Nyirabwiza Justine's dismissal, provides as follows: Any unlawful termination of contract may result in damages. Damages paid to the unlawfully dismissed worker cannot go below his/her three months’ salary but they cannot exceed the six (6) - month salary. This does not preclude the payment of indemnities and other benefits to which the worker is entitled. And paragraph 2 of the same article reads that: Where the worker has worked for the employer for a period which is longer than ten (10) years, damages shall not go beyond the salary of nine (9) months. This also applies in the case of workers’ delegates and the representatives of trade union.
In the judgment RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rendered by the Supreme Court on 31/01/2020, in the case of Niwemugeni Jeannette vs. KCB Bank Rwanda Plc, the Court clarified that the amount awarded to a dismissed employee should correspond to their "net salary" rather than their gross salary. This ruling signifies a departure from previous decisions made by the Court, such as in the cases RSOCAA 0003/15/CS decided on 05/05/2016, Rugenera Marc v. Soras Assurances Générales Ltd (SORAS AG), and RSOCAA 0001&0002/16/CS decided on 14/10/2016, Ntukamazina Jean Baptiste v. Prime Insurance Ltd (PRIME), where it was established that the damages for dismissal were based on the gross salary. However, those earlier judgments did not provide a legal rationale for this approach3.
3 See paragraph 36.
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The case file contains a document titled "Payslip," indicating that Nyirabwiza Justine's gross salary was 506,228 Frw, while her net salary was 318,648 Frw.
According to the judgment RSOC 00012/2019/TGI/NYGE handed down by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge on 28/02/2020, Nyirabwiza Justine was awarded damages equivalent to nine months' salary, calculated as 506,228 Frw x 9 = 4,556,052 Frw.
As stated above, Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed and should therefore be awarded damages equivalent to nine months' salary for being dismissed from her job after more than ten years of service with UNGUKA BANK Plc. The Court finds that the damages should be calculated based on net salary instead of gross salary, as ruled by the Supreme Court in the aforementioned case of Niwemugeni Jeannette vs. KCB Bank Rwanda Plc. Thus, the damages are calculated as 318,648 Frw x 9 = 2,867,832 Frw, rather than 4,556,052 Frw as ruled by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, which were calculated on gross salary. Whether Nyirabwiza Justine was given proper notice when UNGUKA BANK Plc terminated her employment contract
The legal counsel of Nyirabwiza Justine argue that, regarding the notice in the case under review on the grounds of injustice, the Court reiterated that the list of dismissed workers was notified to the Labour Inspector on the same day as the letters of notice and dismissal to the employees. However, this does not mean that the Labour Inspector was notified before the employees were dismissed. The Court based its conclusion on the
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fact that the employees were given notice in the dismissal letters, indicating that they were still awaiting the dismissal. They contend that this explanation given by the High Court contradicts the contents of the letter terminating Nyirabwiza Justine's employment contract, reference UB/CEO/529/SC/532/018, dated 30/07/2018, written by the CEO of UNGUKA BANK Plc. The purpose of this letter was not explicit, and it informed her that "her employment contract with the Bank has been terminated and that the decision will be effective from the date of 30/07/2018."
They assert that in that letter, UNGUKA BANK Plc did not anticipate that the decision could be reversed, as the Court implied. Furthermore, the letter did not clarify when the notice would end, only stating that the notice period would be substituted with monetary compensation. They argue that this is one of the grounds on which Nyirabwiza Justine relies to demonstrate that she suffered injustice, particularly because she believes this interpretation contradicts the provisions of the law and the opinions of legal experts, as well as what has been established in previous cases. Specifically, they emphasize that the notification must be provided in writing to the concerned party, and the reasons for the termination of the contract must be clearly indicated.
They further contend that the provisions of Article 29 of the Labour Law state that "an open-ended contract may always be terminated by the will of either of the parties, but for legitimate motives." This termination is subject to a prior notice given by the party initiating the termination. Legal experts explain that “the notice period corresponds to the time that must elapse between the employee's notification of resignation or dismissal
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and the actual date of departure4.” Additionally, Article 30 of the same Law defines how the notice must be given, stating that "The notice shall be addressed to the interested party in writing, specifying the reasons for termination." They further assert that the opinions of legal experts are based on court precedents regarding notification of notices. Jean Pélissier and his colleagues state that the legislator requires that the employer dismissing an employee must notify the employee of the dismissal by registered letter and must include the reason(s) for the dismissal in that letter. Furthermore, “the cassation court separates the notification of the dismissal from the phases of the dismissal procedure and introduces a strict penalty when the notification does not meet the requirements of the law5.”
They further explain that legal scholars, including Céline Lavachy and her colleagues, have stated that the period of notice fixed by the employment contract is an element of that contract and cannot therefore be altered unilaterally by the employer6. They argue that any such change would violate Article 64 of the aforementioned Law governing contracts, which stipulates that contracts made in accordance with the law are binding between the parties. Consequently, Nyirabwiza Justine criticizes the
4 “Le délai de préavis correspond à la période qui doit s'écouler entre la notification de démission ou de licenciement de l'employé et la date effective du départ de l'employé”. 5 Le législateur prévoit que l’employeur, auteur du licenciement doit notifier le licenciement au salarié par lettre recommandée et qu’il doit mentionner dans cette lettre le ou les motifs de licenciement» and "La Cour de cassation isole la notification du licenciement des phases de la procédure de licenciement et instaure une sanction rigoureuse lorsque la notification ne répond pas aux exigences de la loi." 6 “La durée de préavis fixée par le contrat de travail constitue un élément de ce contrat et ne peut donc être modifié unilatéralement par l’employeur”.
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Court's confirmation that she received notice when, in fact, she did not receive any.
They also argue that UNGUKA BANK Plc’s claim that it gave Nyirabwiza Justine notice is incorrect, as there is a specific procedure for issuing such notice. Referring to Article 70 of Law No 45/2011 of 25/11/2011 governing contracts, which stipulates that "Each party shall have the obligation to perform the contract in good faith and fair dealing between the parties". they contend that Nyirabwiza Justine's indefinite employment contract with UNGUKA BANK Plc required that either party wishing to terminate the contract must give the other notice. Since UNGUKA BANK Plc chose to terminate the contract, it was obligated to give notice in accordance with the provisions of both the contract and Article 1, paragraph 21, of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour, which states that "termination of an employment contract by the employer without justifiable reason or observance of procedures established by law is regarded as an unfair dismissal." They further argue that UNGUKA BANK Plc’s actions in dismissing Nyirabwiza Justine without proper notice amount to unfair dismissal. Therefore, they assert that the High Court disregarded these facts when it ruled that UNGUKA BANK Plc acted in accordance with the law and that Nyirabwiza Justine had been given proper notice.
The legal counsel of UNGUKA BANK Plc submits that the grounds on which Nyirabwiza Justine relies, in the first and second arguments, to request a review of case RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG on the basis of injustice, are not consistent with the provisions of Article 55 of Law No 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of the courts, instead, she seems to have initiated the case as at the first instance, ignoring
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that there are precedents that were even relied upon to transfer the case to this Court. Moreover, she was unable to prove before the High Court that no notice was given or that it was not given in writing, and that the Court disregarded such fact.
He argues that Nyirabwiza Justine's claim should not be considered under Article 55 of Law No 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts. He emphasizes that she has failed to demonstrate any injustice suffered as a result of the High Court’s statements or its decision, particularly regarding the two grounds on which she bases her claim of injustice. Specifically, the Court upheld that the notice period is the time between the notification of the employee’s resignation or dismissal and the actual termination date, and that the notice must be given in writing to the concerned party, clearly stating the reasons for contract termination. He argues that her claim does not align with the provisions of Article 55 of the aforementioned law.
He further submits that Nyirabwiza Justine did not present evidence to the appellate court proving that she was not given notice or that the notice was not provided in writing, and that the court did not ignore these grounds. Instead, he argues that she deliberately overlooks the fact that the termination letter clearly states she was given one month's notice, from 30/07/2018 to 30/08/2018, but that the employer chose to substitute this notice period with a monetary payment, which is legally permissible. He adds that she herself acknowledges receiving the payment in lieu of notice, as reflected in the final statement of her account, yet she now claims that she was not given proper notice. Therefore, he contends that her two grounds for review should not be addressed in the same case.
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He further states that Nyirabwiza Justine's claims are unfounded, referring to Article 32 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, which was into force at the time. This article provides that "Any termination of contract without notice or without observing the notice period compels the responsible party to pay the other party an allowance corresponding to the salary and other benefits from which the worker would have benefited during the notice period that has not been effectively respected." He highlights that the law refers to this payment as "Indemnité compensatoire de préavis" (Compensatory payment in lieu of notice) in its French version, meaning that the legislator allows the option to provide notice either in advance or through monetary compensation.
He further explains that this principle was clarified by the Supreme Court in case RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC [32,33], Niwemugeni Jeannette v. KCB BANK Rwanda Plc, where the Court explicitly stated that if the notice period is not provided and is instead substituted by a payment equal to the salary and other benefits the employee would have received during that period, there is no violation of the law. This aligns with the High Court’s finding in case RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG under review on the grounds of injustice. In paragraph 18, the Court clearly explained that the payment Nyirabwiza Justine received, which corresponded to what she would have earned during the notice period, did not violate the legal provisions regarding notice. In fact, the Court highlighted that Nyirabwiza Justine benefited from the arrangement because during the notice period, she would have been expected to continue working while being entitled to one day off per week to seek other job. By receiving the payment in lieu of the notice, she effectively gained the entire month off, while still receiving her
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salary for that period. This compensation (money in lieu of notice) was thus advantageous to her.
He concludes by stating that, based on the fact that Nyirabwiza Justine received a monetary payment in lieu of notice in accordance with the law, UNGUKA BANK Plc maintains that there is no injustice in the judgment under review, RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG, as she has failed to prove that the court’s judgment is erroneous. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 29 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda, which was into force at the time of Nyirabwiza Justine's dismissal, reads that: An open-ended contract may always be terminated by the will of either of the parties but for legitimate motives. This termination is subject to a prior notice given by the party that takes initiative of termination.
Article 32 of the aforementioned Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 reads that: Any termination of contract without notice or without having observed the notice period compels the responsible party to pay the other party an allowance corresponding to the salary and other benefits from which the worker would have benefited during the notice period that has not been effectively respected.
As stated above, the letter UNGUKA BANK Plc wrote to Nyirabwiza Justine on 30/07/2018, informing her of the termination of her employment contract and stating that it was with immediate effect, indicates that no notice period was given. As previously mentioned, where no notice period is given,
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compensation is payable equal to the amount of salary and other benefits due to the employee during the notice period, and UNGUKA BANK Plc has complied with this requirement. This substitution of the notice period is not unique to Rwandan labour law. As recalled in judgment RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC7, which referred to the opinions of legal scholars François Gaudu and Raymonde Vatinet, as well as Gilles Auzero and Emmanuel Dockes8, an employer may waive the employee's attendance during the notice period and instead provide monetary compensation. Since UNGUKA BANK Plc did not give a notice period but paid Nyirabwiza Justine compensation equal to the salary and other benefits entitled to her during the notice period, and since Nyirabwiza Justine does not deny receiving that payment, the Court finds that UNGUKA BANK Plc complied with the provisions of Article 32 of Law No 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 referred to above. Therefore, there is no manifest injustice in this regard in judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 17/11/2020.
7 See judgment RS/INJUST/RSOC 00001/2019/SC rendered on January 31,2020, Niwemugeni Jeannette v. KCB BANK Plc 8 “Le préavis est en principe une période de travail, le salarié devant rester à la disposition de l’employeur. L’employeur peut cependant dispenser le salarié de l’exécution du préavis, en lui versant alors l’équivalent du salaire sous forme d’une indemnité de préavis;” François Gaudu et Raymonde Vatinet, Droit du travail, 5e édition, Dalloz, 2013, p. 213-214. “Le délai–congé ou préavis n’existe en principe que dans les cas où la rupture du contrat de travail résulte de la volonté unilatérale d’une des parties au contrat: licenciement, ……. L’employeur a droit de dispenser unilatéralement le salarié d’exécuter son travail pendant le délai-congé à condition de lui verser toutes les sommes que celui-ci aurait perçues s’il avait fourni sa prestation de travail jusqu’à l’expiration du préavis.” Gilles Auzero et Emmanuel Dockes; Droit du travail, 30e édition, Dalloz, 2016, p. 610, 619.
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Whether Nyirabwiza Justine should be compensated for prejudice caused by the decision of dismissing her
Nyirabwiza Justine's legal counsel argue that the fact she is still unable to secure a job, combined with the unreasonable decision by UNGUKA BANK Plc, which has deprived her of the opportunity to receive her rightful pension, has caused her to suffer significant consequences. These are important reasons why she should be awarded damages equivalent to her salary for 12 months, i.e., 542,292 Frw x 12 (months) = 6,507,504 Frw, to account for the consequences, losses, and the prejudice caused to her by that decision9.
The legal counsel of UNGUKA BANK Plc submit that the damages of 12 months' salary sought by Nyirabwiza Justine in this case is unfounded. They argue that, in addition to her failure to establish the legal basis for the alleged injustice with factual evidence, her claim that she cannot find employment elsewhere, if true, is not UNGUKA BANK Plc's fault. He contends that the Bank terminated her contract for economic reasons and complied with all legal provisions in her case. Furthermore, he states that UNGUKA BANK Plc has never asserted or confirmed that Nyirabwiza Justine has any defect preventing her from seeking job elsewhere, nor has it restricted her ability to seek for job in order to qualify for social security
9 Legal scholars such as Jean Pélissier and his colleagues Gilles Auzero & Emmanuel Dockès, all agree that:” Le droit de l’employeur de dispenser le salarié de fournir sa prestation de travail pendant le préavis est, comme tout droit, susceptible d’abus. Il y a abus lorsque la décision de l’employeur s’accompagne d’une brutalité et de méfiance, qui fait supposer aux tiers que le salarié a commis une faute grave. Dans ce cas, l’employeur devra non seulement payer une indemnité compensatrice de préavis, mais également des dommages et intérêts en réparation du préjudice subi par le salarié”.
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benefits, including a pension. Consequently, her claim for damages on these grounds is unfounded. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
The Court finds that Nyirabwiza Justine, apart from merely stating that she is claiming damages in the amount of her 12 months' salary due to the unlawful decision taken by UNGUKA BANK Plc, does not specify the legal basis for her claim, nor does she provide evidence of any abuse or defamation by UNGUKA BANK Plc in dismissing her. As a result, the damages she is claiming are unfounded, as they lack a clear legal or factual basis. Whether Nyirabwiza Justine should be reimbursed the money ordered by the Court to be paid to UNGUKA BANK Plc
The legal counsel of Nyirabwiza Justine argues that in the case under review on the grounds of injustice, the Court ordered to Nyirabwiza Justine to pay to UNGUKA BANK Plc the damages amounting to 640,000 Frw. Therefore, she requests that if the Court finds her claim to be founded, it should order to UNGUKA BANK Plc to reimburse the money.
The legal counsel of UNGUKA BANK Plc submits that Nyirabwiza Justine has not yet been able to prove the legal basis for the injustice she claims, nor has she presented factual evidence to support it. Therefore, the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG should be upheld. Regarding the damages that Nyirabwiza Justine was ordered to pay to UNGUKA BANK Plc, the Bank argues that it is justified and should be upheld because Nyirabwiza Justine sued the Bank despite the fact that
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her contract was terminated for economic reasons, and she was given everything she was entitled to under the provisions of the law. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
The ruling in case RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG, decided by the High Court on 17/11/2020, indicates that Nyirabwiza Justine was ordered to pay to UNGUKA Bank Plc 500,000 Frw as counsel fees, 100,000 Frw as procedural fees, and to refund the 40,000 Frw the Bank deposited as court fees, bringing the total to 640,000 Frw.
The Court finds, as stated above, that Nyirabwiza Justine was unlawfully dismissed by UNGUKA BANK Plc. Consequently, she must be reimbursed the amount of 640,000 Frw she paid to UNGUKA BANK Plc for the execution of the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 17/11/2021. Whether the claimed procedural fees, counsel fees, court fees, and damages for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits are justified
The legal counsel of Nyirabwiza Justine, with reference to Article 24, paragraph 3, and Article 34 of Regulation No. 01/2014, fixing the scale of fees for advocates, request the Court of Appeal to order to UNGUKA BANK Plc to pay to Nyirabwiza Justine 3,000,000 Frw for counsel fees for the various proceedings undertaken in pursuing the case from the first instance up to this level of appeal.
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With reference to Article 111 of Law No 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour, and administrative procedure, they are requesting the Court to order to UNGUKA BANK Plc to pay to Nyirabwiza Justine 3,500,000 Frw for dragging her into unnecessary lawsuits.
In accordance with the provisions of Article 269 of Law No 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 mentioned above, they are requesting that UNGUKA BANK Plc should refund to Nyirabwiza Justine the 20,000 Frw she deposited as the court fee at the first instance.
The legal counsel of UNGUKA BANK Plc submits that Nyirabwiza Justine should bear the responsibility of paying counsel fees in these cases, as she initiated the lawsuits and ultimately lost. He argues that she is fully aware that UNGUKA BANK is not the party that brought action against her, and she has failed to demonstrate any injustice suffered as a result of the judgment in case RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG.
He further submits that Nyirabwiza Justine should not be awarded the damages of 3,500,000 Frw that she is claiming from UNGUKA BANK Plc, as she was the one who initiated the lawsuits, dragging UNGUKA BANK Plc into them, and ultimately lost. He argues that she has not yet been able to prove any injustice in judgment RSOC 00079/2020/HC/KIG. He adds that she chose to pursue unwarranted and vexatious litigation, disregarding the fact that her contract was lawfully terminated and that she received all entitlements according to legal provisions. Consequently, he asserts that her claim for damages is baseless.
He further submits that Nyirabwiza Justine is responsible for the court fees and all other costs incurred in this case, as she
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was the one who applied for the review of the case on the grounds of injustice and failed to prove any flaws in the judgment rendered. Therefore, she must bear all the consequences arising from her application.
He also submits that UNGUKA BANK Plc is filing a counterclaim, seeking compensation for all losses incurred in this instance of the case, including legal counsel fees and other expenses related to defending against Nyirabwiza Justine's continued lawsuits. He argues that Nyirabwiza Justine has repeatedly initiated legal actions despite the fact that her employment contract was terminated due to economic reasons and that she received all entitlements as provided by law. Therefore, he requests the Court to order to Nyirabwiza Justine to reimburse UNGUKA BANK Plc 1,500,000 Frw to cover both procedural and counsel fees.
Nyirabwiza Justine's legal counsel, pleading on the money requested by UNGUKA BANK Plc, argue that the claim made by this Bank is baseless, asserting that if the Bank had not unlawfully dismissed Nyirabwiza Justine, this case would never have existed. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 111 of Law No 22/2018 of 28/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, reads that: The claim for representation fees is an incidental claim to the principal claim aiming to repay expenses incurred during judicial proceedings. The claim for legal costs is adjudicated at the same time with the principal claim. It can also be admitted and adjudicated even if the principal claim has not been admitted.
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The Court finds that Nyirabwiza Justine should be awarded damages for the expenses incurred while pursuing this case; however, the requested amount is excessive relative to the work done. Therefore, at the discretion of this Court, Nyirabwiza Justine is awarded 500,000 Frw for counsel fees and 200,000 Frw for procedural fees at this level. This amount includes an additional 500,000 Frw for counsel fees at the High Court, bringing the total to 1,700,000 Frw to be paid by UNGUKA BANK Plc. The Court also finds that the Bank must refund her 20,000 Frw, which she deposited as a court fee in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge.
Regarding the damages for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits requested by Nyirabwiza Justine, the Court finds that this amount should not be awarded. Even though UNGUKA BANK Plc unlawfully terminated the contract, it was not the one that initiated the case; instead, it was sued and provided its defense. Therefore, the damages Nyirabwiza Justine is asking for are baseless.
The Court finds that the costs incurred by UNGUKA BANK Plc are unfounded as it was determined that the judgment RSOCA 00097/2020/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 17/11/2021 contains injustice. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Holds that the application filed by Nyirabwiza Justine to review the judgment N° RSOCA 00097/2020/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 17/11/2020 on the grounds of injustice has merit in part;
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Orders to UNGUKA Bank Plc to pay to Nyirabwiza Justine 2,867,832 Frw as damages for unlawful dismissal;
Orders to UNGUKA BANK Plc to refund to Nyirabwiza Justine 640,000 Frw paid to UNGUKA BANK Plc for executing the judgment RSOCA 00079/2020/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 17/11/2021;
Orders to UNGUKA BANK Plc to pay to Nyirabwiza Justine 1,700,000 Frw for both counsel and procedural fees at all instances;
Orders to UNGUKA BANK Plc to refund to Nyirabwiza Justine 20,000 Frw for the court fees she deposited at the first instance.
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139 RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA N’ABANDI (ADD)
CIVIL CASES
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RUTAYISIRE v MUKANKURIKIYIMANA ET. AL [Rwanda SUPREME COURT - RC 00001/2023/SC (Mukamulisa, P.J., Cyanzayire, Hitiyaremye, Kazungu, Kalihangabo, J.) 22 December 2023] Laws governing judicial procedure – Conflict of judgments – There is a conflict of judgments when there are different decisions of the courts which are no longer appealable and which cannot be executed concomitantly, the courts seized of the case should ascertain the judgments or the judgment to be annulled. Laws governing judicial procedure – Conflict of judgments – The judgment is annulled – When the conflict is based on the existence of another case that has been previously decided on the same grounds, on the same subject matter, between the same parties and has been final (autorité de la chose jugée), the second case is annuled and the first one remains intact – When the conflict is based on the fact that there are two irreconcilable cases (deux décisions inconcilables) and cannot be eexecuted concomitantly, one or both of these cases are annulled. Facts: Kahabaye was survived by his three children namely Rutayisire, Umubyeyi and Rutaganda but they were also later survived by Rutaysire. Umubyeyi was married to Kayigana and they had two children who were his heirs represented by his father Kayigana, and Rutanganda also gave birth to two children namely Twagirayezu and Mukankurikiyimana. The heirs of Umubyeyi, represented by Kayigana, filed a case before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo requesting inheritance. After it was confirmed that they were Rutaganda’s children, 141
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Twagirayezu and Mukankurikiyimana filed a third party opposition against the judgment, the Intermediate Court declared that they will also get a share in the inherited property. Rutayisire and the heirs of Umubyeyi appealed against that decision before the High Court, which declared that the judgments rendered by the Intermediate Court was quashed because that decision changed another decision rendered by the Primary Court which had already become final. Twagirayezu and Mukankurikiyimana appealed against the judgment before the Supreme Court which found that the Intermediate Court had jurisdiction and annulled the judgment rendered by the High Court, upholding the decision taken by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge. Rutayisire and the heirs of Umubyeyi filed a case before the Court of Appeal requesting it to resolve the issue of the conflicting judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and judgment N° RC 0846/11/ TGI/NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017, that claim was declared inadmissible because among those judgments, there was one that was rendered by the Supreme Court, while the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to resolve the conflict of judgments rendered by lower courts or it rendered itself. Rutayisire resorted to the Supreme Court requesting it to resolve the conflict of those judgments. Twagirayezu and Mukankurikiyimana raised the objection alleging that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to hear it, but the Supreme Court found that the objection is groundless because the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve the conflict between the final judgments and proceeded with the hearing in the merits.
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The claimants allege that the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS upheld the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, both of which made different decisions about the inheritance of the house containing 3 boutiques and an area attached to those boutiques. They requested that the case N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE be annuled, and the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo should remain intact because no court decision had so far changed it in accordance with the law. The defendants allege that there is no contradiction in the judgments mentioned above because if that was the case, Rutayisire would not have taken what the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge ordered him to inherit. He went on to explain that the judgments were decided and all the heirs were given the property because when there are heirs who appear after the inheritance, there is a new inheritance so that no one is deprived of the right to inherit with others. Held: 1. There is a conflict of judgments when there are different decisions of the courts which cannot be appealed and which cannot be enforced concomitantly, the courts seized of the case should affirm the judgments or the judgment to be annulled. Thus, the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo on 29/02/2008 is different from the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017, so these judgments are conflicting and cannot be executed concomitantly because both of them have become final.
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2. When the conflict is based on the existence of another judgment that has been previously decided on the same grounds, on the same subject matter, between the same parties and has been final (autorité de la chose jugée), the second case is annulled and the first one remains intact - When the conflict is based on the fact that there are two irreconcilable judgments (deux décisions inconcilables) and cannot be enforced concomitantly, one or both of these cases are annulled. Thus, the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment 07/09/2012 rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017, must be annulled due to the errors made, which also means that the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2027 is annulled. Judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE and N° RCAA 0010/14/CS, are annulled. Laws referred to Law no 15/2004 of 12/6/2004 relating to Evidence and its Production Law No 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 Law relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, articles 14, 111 No cases referred to Written legal opinions referred to : Jacques Boré, La cassation en matière civile, Paris, Dalloz, 1997, p. 440. Loic Cadiet and Emmanuel Jeuland, Droit judiciaire privé, Paris, 11e éd., Litec, 2022, p.805.
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Serge Guinchard, Op.cit. p.1700. See also Natalie Fricero et Pierre Julien, “Procédure Civile”, 5e éd., lextenso, 2014, p. 441. France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre Sociale, 14 décembre 2022 N° 21-15.601; France, Cour de cassation, civile, Chambre civile 3, 6 février 2020, 18-24.946, France; France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre civile 2, du 22 janvier 2004, 01-11.665, N° de pourvoi: 01-11.665; Belgique, Cour de cassation, 07 décembre 2011, P.11.1861.F. Judgment I. BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, Mother Catherine (+) and Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène (+) are the children of Joseph (+). Umubyeyi Catherine was survived by 2 children namely Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella. Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène was also survived by 2 children namely Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice.
The heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine, namely Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella, represented by their father Kayigana Jean Baptiste, filed a complaint before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo, suing Rutayisire Jean de Dieu,
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requesting the distribution of the property left by Kahabaye Joseph1.
In the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008, the Primary Court of Nyamirambo declared that Rutaysire Jean de Dieu share the property of the late Kahabaye Joseph and the heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine, ordering that: i. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu won a house with 3 boutiques at Kivuziza and the land attached to it, the forest farm below them, the land in the marshland at Giticyinyoni, the plot in Nyamirambo at Gatare, a piece of land in Bugesera, and the property worth 10,505,000 Frw grabbed by Rutayisire Jean de Dieu. ii. The heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine namely Kayigana Isaro Darlène and Umubyeyi Gabriella, won the house of Umubyeyi Catherine’s mother called Mukankusi Antoniya, located at Kivugiza, a rented house located in Nyamirambo at the tarmac road, Kahabaye Joseph's estate located at Kivugiza, the land located at Zivu and a piece of the land located at Bugesera, and ordered the heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine to sell the land of the late Kahabaye in Kicukiro and build houses in the estate of the deceased.
After the Primary Court of Nyamirambo confirmed that they are Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène’s daughters in the judgment no. RC 0268/08/TB/NYB - RC 0269/08/TB/NYB rendered on 20/06/2008, Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiimana Béatrice filed a third party opposition against
1 The case was registered under N° RC 0559/05/TD/NYB/RC 38788/02, and was later removed from the list of cases, the heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine had it reintroduced and was registered under RC 0140/07/TB/NYB..
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the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo, requesting their share in the estate of the late Kahabaye Joseph. Their case file was registered under n° RC 0471/09/TB/NYB but it was declared inadmissible, then they filed another case before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, requesting their father's share in the property of the late Kahabaye Joseph.
In the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012, the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge declared that the case filed by Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène ‘s heirs is relevant, ordering that: i. Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice were granted a house with 3 boutiques in Kivuziza, with the land and forest farm attached to those boutiques, a rented house in Nyamirambo and land at Zivu. ii. The heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine namely Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella, were granted the house of Umubyeyi Catherine’s mother called Mukankusi at Kivuziza, the plot located in Nyamirambo at Gatare, a piece of land located in Bugesera and the plot located in Kicukiro. iii. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu was granted the estate of he late Kahabaye Joseph located at Kivuziza, a land in the Giticyinyoni marsh, and the property worth 10,505,000 FRW he grabbed.
Rutayisire Jean de Dieu and the heirs of Umubyeyi Catherine appealed against that judgment before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge which had no jurisdiction to hear this case, and that the heirs of Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène have no
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interest in requesting a share in the property that no longer existed because the judgment that divided it had become final2.
In the judgment N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG rendered on 30/12/2013, the High Court, based on the fact that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge did not have the power to modify the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo, and it had become final, declared that the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE is annulled.
Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice appealed against the judgment before the Supreme Court. In the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered on 17/03/2017, that Court found that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge had jurisdiction to hear the case that was filed, annulled the judgment N° RCA 00551/12/HC/KIG - RCA 0553/12/HC/KIG, ordering that the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE remain intact.
Rutayisire Jean de Dieu filed a case before the Court of Appeal requesting to resolve the issue of conflicting judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and judgment n°
2 Rutayisire Jean de Dieu alleges that he sold some properties that he had won in the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Pimary Court of Nyamirambo on 29/02/2008, including the house containing 3 boutiques located at Kivugiza to SIBOMANA Eugène at 10.000.000 Frw as enshrined in the sale contract entered into on 25/09/2011 and in the sale contract concluded before the notary competent in land matters when they were effecting conveyance on 02/10/2014. (As per the letter dated 04/01/2019, the National Land Authority wrote to Mukankurikiyimana who had requested some information concerning the plot registered under UPI 1/01/08/01/356 located at Cyivugiza, informing her that it was registered under SIBOMANA Eugene’s names, who had bought it from Rutayisire Jean de Dieu).
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RC 0846/11/TGI/ NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017. The Chief Registrar confirmed that the case was declared inadmissible because among the judgments alleged by the applicant to be conflicting, there is one rendered by the Supreme Court, while the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to resolve the issue of conflicting cases rendered by lower courts or the ones it rendered itself.
Rutayisire Jean de Dieu then filed a case before the Supreme Court requesting it to o resolve the issue of the above- mentioned conflict judgments. He alleges that this is the only way to solve the problem of his rights and those of the defendants because they are in conflict over the same property based on 2 final judgments.
As per their written submissions, Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice raised the jurisdictional objection because the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over it.
The case was heard in public on 26/06/2023, Rutayisire Jean de Dieu represented by Counsel Niyondora Nsengiyumva and Me Nkeza Sempundu Clément, Mukankurikiyinka Béatrice assisted by Counsel Seburikoko Jérémie also representing Twagirayezu Béatha, whereas Umubyeyi Gabriella and Kayigana Darlène Isaro were represented by Counsel Habineza Gasore Gilbert. The parties first debated the above-mentioned objection raised by Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice.
In the provisional judgment n° RC 00001/2023/SC rendered on 28/07/2023, the Supreme Court declared that the jurisdictional objection is irrelevant, that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to resolve the conflict between final judgments,
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therefore, it has jurisdiction to examine the issue of conflicting judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/ CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017.
The hearing of this case was scheduled on 20/11/2023, on which day the parties debated the issue of determining whether there is a conflict between the judgment RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/ NYGE as confirmed by the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS, determining whether the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE should be annulled determining whether the compensation claimed in this case should be granted. II. ALYSIS OF THE LEGAL ISSUES Determining whether there is any conflict between judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE as confirmed by judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS.
Counsel Niyondora Nsengiyumva and Counsel Nkeza Sempundu Clément representing Rutayisire Jean de Dieu allege that Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice filed a case before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge after having tried to file a third party opposition against the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB in which they had not been parties but their claim was declared inadmissible; after having realized that that judicial procedure had not helped them, they ignored the principle of the authority of the final judgment (autorité de la chose jugée), they resorted to filing an appeal to the Intermediate
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Court requesting that the final judgment be reviewed without going through the ordinary or special appeal procedure.
They also allege that the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB and the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS confirmed the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, both of which made different decisions about who was entitled to inheriting the house with 3 boutiques and the area attached to them, that they find that there is no way to resolve the issue of conflicting final judgments, other than requesting this court to confirm the conflict of judgments and to settle the disputes between the parties on that issue because these two judgments cannot be executed concomitantly.
They added that due to the errors made in the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE confirmed by the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS, their rights conflict over the same property based on the 2 final judgments.
Counsel Seburikoko Jeremie defending Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice, alleges that there is no contradiction in the judgments mentioned above because if that were the case, Rutayisire Jean de Dieu would not have acquired what the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge granted him.
He adds that he does not know why Rutayisire Jean de Dieu brought back those cases despite the fact that they were decided and granted the properties to all the heirs, and as confirmed by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge and confirmed by the Supreme Court in the aforementioned judgments, if ever there are the heirs who appear after inheritance, there is a new inheritance procedure so that no one is deprived of the right to inherit with others.
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Counsel Munyaneza Rémy and Counsel Habineza G. Gilbert defending Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella allege that the Supreme Court should declare that there was a conflict of judgments, where the Primary Court of Nyamirambo in the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB granted Rutayisire Jean de Dieu the property and in another judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, which also declared that the said property in the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB is granted to Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice, and both judgments had become final. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 106 of Law no 15/2004 of 12/6/2004 relating to Evidence and its Production, provides that "the authority of a final judgment extends only to the subject - matter of the judgment. It is necessary that the subject matter of the case be the same, that action be based the same grounds, that the action be pending between the same parties and that the action be brought by or against the same parties in their original names.
Article 14 of Law No 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 Law relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure provides that " a case having been definitively decided cannot again be litigated for the same facts, between the same parties acting with respect to the same cause”.
The case file shows that in the case filed by Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, he requests the Court to ascertain that there is a conflict between the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo on 29/02/ 2008 and the
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judgment RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered on 10/03/2017. He relies upon the following reasons: i. The judgment RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS, disregarded the principle that the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB had been final (autorité de la chose jugée). ii. The judgments alleged to be conflicting cannot be executed concomitantly as they enshrine different rulings concerning who is entitled to inherit the house with 3 boutiques and the land attached to them.
Rwandan law does not provide for what should be relied upon to confirm that the cases are conflicting, or what happens in case the Court seized of the case finds that the conflict exists. That is why in resolving the issue at hand, the Court relies upon the explanations provided by legal experts.
In his book titled La cassation en matière civile, the jurist Jacques Boré explains that the conflict of the judgments is not considered in terms of reasons, but rather in the fact that the judgments rendered cannot be executed concomitantly (the judgments must enshrine different and irreconcilable rulings), it not enough to detect a contradiction between the motives of the two judgments. It is necessary that both of them are irrenciliable in terms of execution3.
3 Jacques Boré, La cassation en matière civile, Paris, Dalloz, 1997, p. 440.
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In their book titled Droit judiciaire privé, Loic Cadiet and Emmanuel Jeuland also say that conflicting judgments are the judgments that are no longer appealable and the rulings issued cannot be executed concomitantly (The conflict of the judgment can be invoked when two judgments are irreconcilable ad each of them cannot be appealed against through ordinary procedures of appeals which would provide an aordinary procedure to resolve the conflict [...] ) 4.
Jurist Serge Guinchard5 points out that in France, filing a case relating to the conflicting judgments is possible in the following 2 instances: i. When the Court is seized of the case for the second time with the same claim that was considered before, and the party raises the objection that the case should not be admissible because there was another case that was decided before for the same reasons, on the same cause, between the same parties, and had become final, and that the court ignores it, but renders a judgment which is contrary to the one that was rendered before. That in itself becomes a ground for appeal to the Court of Cassation because there are conflicting cases. When the Court finds that there is a contradiction between two judgments, its annuls the second one and leaves the first one intact. (It may happen that the interested applicant files the same case before the judge for the second time, the principle of res judiciata, but that the inadmissibility of the case is not established and that a second judgment, incompatible
4 Loic Cadiet et Emmanuel Jeuland, Droit judiciaire privé, Paris, 11e éd., Litec, 2022, p.805. 5 Serge Guinchard, Op.cit. p.1700. Kureba kandi Natalie Fricero et Pierre Julien, “Procédure Civile”, 5e éd., lextenso, 2014, p. 441.
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with the previous one is rendered. The cassation procedure on the conflict of the judgments can be directed against the second judgment, it is resolved in favour of the first judgment, since the principle of res judicata was raised before the second judge, who ignored it). ii. When there are two irreconcilable judgments and that cannot be executed concomitantly and are no longer appealable. if it is found out that these judgments are in conflict, the Court of Cassation will annul one or both of them. He adds that where this procedure is different from the one mentioned above, it is that it aims to find something that helps in removing the concomitance of two judgments that cannot be executed concomitantly to ensure that the final judgments are executed. This procedure does not rely on the fact that the Court ignored the judgment that had become final […]. (It is worth presuming the existence of the two irreconcilable judgments, which cannot be executed concomitantly, rendered at the first instance, for which no ordinary procedure of appeal is is no longer possible […] The appeal in cassation must then be directed against the two judgments, and when the conflict is established, the Court of Cassation annuls one of the judgments or both. This occurrence is different from the previous one in that it does not entail that the principle of res judicata has been invoked in vain during the hearing on merit. This is a derogation from the general rule of cassation remedy because this case can also be filed against the judgement rendered at the first instance level, or subjected to the procedure of cassation that was previously declared inadmissible. These derogations are based on the need to suppress the coexistence of two judgments whose
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concurrent execution is impossible and, indirectly, to safeguard the principle of res judicata).
The explanations given by the legal experts reveal the following important points: - There is a conflict of judgments when there are different judgments of the courts that are no longer appealable and cannot be executed concomitantly ; - If these judgments remain, it would imply that the parties do not get the justice they need (denial of justice); - In order to overcome these concerns, the courts that have been seized of the cases relating to the conflicting judgments must consider the judgment or judgments that should be annulled in order to respect the rights of the parties; - When the conflict is based on the existence of another judgment previously rendered on the same grounds, on the same subject matter, between the same parties, and it had been final (principle of res judicata), the second judgment is annulled and the first one which had been final, remains intact. - When the conflict is based on the existence of two irreconcilable judgments (two irrencilable judgments) and cannot be executed concomitantly, one or both of these decisions are annulled.
Concerning this case, one of the reasons that Rutayisire Jean de Dieu relies upon to file the case as explained above, is that he criticizes the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE confirmed by the case Nº RCAA 0010/14/CS, the fact that the
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court adjudicated the case disregarding the fact that there was the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB that was rendered previously and that had become final.
The Court finds that that ground was considered by the Supreme Court in a previous case nº RCAA 0010/14/CS decided on 10/06/2016, but it established that the case was heard at the second appeal of the case N° RC 0846/11/ TGI/NYGE, which is different from case n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB.
This Court finds that it cannot refer back to the aforementioned provisional judgment, because in the case at hand, what is requested is only to examine the issue of contradiction between two cases that made different rulings.
Regarding the other ground on which Rutayisire Jean de Dieu relies upon that there are conflicting judgments that cannot be executed concomitantly, as mentioned above, as a result of the case filed before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo by Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella, represented by their father Kayigana Jean Baptiste, that Court rendered judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB on 29/02/2008, declaring that the estate that belonged to the late Kahabaye Joseph be distributed to Rutayisire Jean de Dieu and Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella in the manner mentioned above in paragraph 3.
Also as mentioned above, once Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice had been confirmed as the children of Rutaganda Jean Népomuscène, they filed a case before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, requesting to be granted their father's share from the property of the late Kahabaye Joseph, and in the judgment N° RC 0846/11 /TGI/NYGE rendered on
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07/09/2012, the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge declared that the properties that belonged to the late Kahabaye Joseph be distributed to Rutayisire Jean de Dieu, Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella and Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice in the manner described above in paragraph 5.
The court finds that the judgment nº RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE deprived Rutayisire Jean de Dieu of the house containing 3 boutiques, the plot and the forest farm attached to them that were granted in the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB, to Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Beatrice; he was also deprived of the plot in Nyamirambo at Gatare and a piece of land in Bugesera were given to Kayigana Isaro Darlène and Umumeyi Gabriella. Rutayisire Jean de Dieu also was granted the estate of the late Kahabaye Joseph at Kivuziza, which was previously given to Kayigana Isaro Darlène and Umubyeyi Gabriella. They were also deprived of the rented house located in Nyamirambo and the land in Zivu and were granted to Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice. This judgment rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge was confirmed by the Supreme Court in the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS.
Based on the above, combined with the explanations given by legal scholars as also shown above, it is obvious that for some properties, what was declared in the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo on 29/02/2008 is different from the rulings enshrined in judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on
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17/03/2017, so these judgments are in conflict with respect to the inheritance of the property left by the late Kahabaye Joseph, and cannot be executed concomitantly since both of them became final. Determining whether the judgment RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE must be annulled
Counsel Niyondora Nsengiyumva and Counsel Nkeza Sempundu Clément allege that in the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice were granted a property consisting of the house containing three (3) boutiques and the land attached to them, the decision was also confirmed by the Supreme Court in the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS /, yet it is ignored the fact that those properties were granted to Rutayisire Jean de Dieu in the final judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB.
They request that the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE as confirmed by the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS be annulled and the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo remain intact was no judgment that modified it in accordance with the law.
Counsel Seburikoko Jeremie alleges that the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court should not be annulled because in the judgment rendered by the Supreme Court on page 13 in the rulings, that Court declared that the Intermediate Court had jurisdiction to hear the case filed by his clients, that it cannot re-examine the case any longer.
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Counsel MUNYANEZA Rémy and Counsel Habineza G. Gilbert representing Kayigana Darlène Isaro and Umubyeyi Gabriella, allege that Rutayisire Jean de Dieu's request to annul the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE should be upheld because the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge adjudicated on the property that had already been adjudicated on in the final judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB especially that if there is a judgment contradicting the one previously rendered, the second one is annulled. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Having realized that the judgment
N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered on 29/02/2008 and the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017 are in conflict with each other and cannot be executed concomitantly, it is necessary for the Court to establish whether there is a reason why the decision made by the Intermediate Court of Nyamirambo confirmed by the Supreme Court should be annulled as requested by Rutayisire Jean de Dieu who filed athe case.
The reasons the courts relied upon to annul one of the conflicting judgments, however, vary. In general, they annulled the judgment rendered in breach of the law or without due regard to the existing precedent and upheld the judgment that they deemed fair6.
6 France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre Sociale, 14 décembre 2022 N° 21- 15.601; France, Cour de cassation, civile, Chambre civile 3, 6 février 2020, 18-24.946, France; France, Cour de Cassation, Chambre civile 2, du 22
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Concerning this case, as mentioned above, the Primary Court of Nyamirambo rendered the judgment N° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB, and determined how the property of the late Kahabaye Joseph should be distributed among Rutaganda Jean de Dieu and Kayigana Darlène Pearl and Umubyeyi Gabriella. Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice filed a third party opposition before the Primary Court of Nyamirambo, and their case was declared inadmissible, instead of using other legal procedures to have the case reviewed, they filed a new case before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge.
That Court rendered the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE, disregarding the fact that there was another final judgment that adjudicated on the inheritance of Kahabaye Joseph's property although it was aware of it as found in the copy of the judgment, and distributed anew that property. The judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE continued up to the Supreme Court, where that Court upheld the the judgment of the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge. The consequences of the errors made in the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE is that there are now two conflicting judgments as elucidated above, and it is impossible for both to be executed concomitantly.
After what has been elucidated, the Court finds that the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered on 07/09/2012 as confirmed by the judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017 must be annulled due to the errors made in it, which means that even the judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017,
janvier 2004, 01-11.665, n° de pourvoi: 01-11.665; Belgique, Cour de cassation, 07 décembre 2011, P.11.1861.F.
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confirming that the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE is valid, is also annulled. Determinig the basis of the compensation sought in this case.
Counsel Niyondora Nsengiyumva alleges that Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice are the ones who caused the problem when they initiated the case n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE before the Supreme Court, being aware that the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB was still valid, which is the reason why he requests on behalf of Rutayisire Jean de Dieu 3,000,000 Frw of moral damages and 2,000,000 Frw of the cost of proceedings and the advocate fee.
Counsel Seburikoko Jeremie alleges that Rutayisire Jean de Dieu has been dragging them through the courts for more than 10 years and is enjoying the property they were granted by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, that he is the one to pay Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice 1.000.000 Frw of moral damages and 3.000.000 Frw of advocate fee.
Counsel Munyaneza Rémy and Counsel Habineza G. Gilbert, who represent Umubyeyi Gabriella and Kayigana Darlène Isaro, allege that the defendants do not say anything about the issue of compensation because Rutayisire Jean de Dieu requested the Court that the damages he sought be paid by Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice because they are the culprits of this case.
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DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 111 of Law N⁰ 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure provides that the claim for representation fees is an incidental claim to the principal claim aiming to repay expenses incurred during judicial proceedings.
The court finds that the damages requested by Counsel Seburikoko Jeremie on behalf of the defendants are irrelevant because they did not win anything. As for the costs of the proceeding and advocate fee requested by Rutaysire Jean de Dieu, the Court finds that he should be granted them because he is the one who won the case. But since the amount of 2,000,000 Frw he is seeking is exorbitant and he has not provided the evidence thereof, at the discretion of the Court, he is granted 300,000 Frw of the cost of the proceedings and 500,000 Frw for the advocate fee. As for the moral damages he requests, the Court finds that they will not be awarded because he does not explain their basis. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Declares that the judgment n° RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Coourt of Nyamirambo on 29/02/2008 is in conflict with the judgment N° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE rendered by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge rendered on 07/09/2012, confirmed by judgment N° RCAA 0010/14/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 17/03/2017;
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Declares that the judgment n° RC 0846/11/TGI/NYGE and judgment n° RCAA 0010/14/CS, are annulled;
Orders that the judgment RC 0140/07/TB/NYB rendered by the Primary Court of Nyamirambo on 29/02/2008, remain valid;
Orders Twagirayezu Béatha and Mukankurikiyimana Béatrice to pay Rutaysire Jean de Dieu 300,000 Frw of the cost of the proceedings and 500,000 Frw of the advocate fee; making a total of 800,000 Frw.
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NATIONAL BANK OF RWANDA (BNR) v NGEZAHOGUHORA ET AL. Rwanda SUPREME COURT-RS/INJUST/RC 00002/2022/SC (Nteziryayo P.J., Nyirinkwaya and Cyanzayire, J.) 22 July 2022. Civil procedure – Warranty against the dispossession of the purchased property – The seller shall warrant the buyer against the dispossession of the purchased property, or he/ she shall refund or request that the buyer is refunded by the one who dispossesses him/her of the purchased property. Furthermore, even in the absence of an explicit warranty clause, the seller shall always warrant the buyer against total or partial dispossession of the purchased property or the seller shall pay the debts on it not communicated to him/her by the time of sale in accordance with the third party’s right on the purchased item. Facts : Ngezahoguhora bought a plot of land from Rekeraho, but when he was about to start developing it, he received a letter from the local authorities halting him from proceeding and making him wait for the ruling on a certain case RC 157/09/TGI/NYGE pending between National Bank of Rwanda ( BNR) and Birikunzira, who also was claiming for the same plot, arguing that he as well bought it from BNR when he was still working for it, and when they fired him, they again sold the plot to Rekeraho was its employee. Ngezahoguhora lodged a case with the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge and sued Ingabire, Rekeraho’s surviving spouse. BNR was forced to intervene into the case and Ngezahoguhora prayed the Court to terminate the sale agreement that BNR concluded with Rekeraho, arguing that BNR sold him another person’s plot, since the ruling on the case RCAA 165
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0031/14/CS which held that the concerned plot belonged to Birikunzira. The Court found that the lodged claim is justified, and the courts did not determine who should refund Ngezahoguhora for the plot’s acquisition value, and the Court ordered to Ingabire to pay the plaintiff for the plot’s acquisition value price, and for BNR which concluded a double sale contract on one plot, the Court ordered to it to pay the balance on basis of the total price of the plot determined by the real property valuer and the damages. Ingabire appealed against the above ruling before the High Court, and she argued that it is BNR that should be accountable for the total refunding. But meanwhile, BNR has as well cross-appealed and prayed the Court to determine whether it is fair for it to refund for the plot plus related damages, yet it never concluded any agreement with the plaintiff. The Court held that BNR has a status of the first seller, and that it therefore had an obligation to protect Rekeraho against any dispossession of the property he purchased, and the Court ordered to BNR to pay for the total refunding on the concerned plot. BNR was not satisfied with the ruling, and it lodged an application for injustice related case- review. The case was heard by the Supreme Court which examined the issue related to determining who should pay to Ngezahoguhora for the plot he bought from Rekeraho as well as the damages claimed by the parties. BNR states that the High Court erred when it ordered to it to pay to Ngezahoguhora the total price of the plot without referring to any law, any contract or any error, but it exempted Rekeraho’s family for the received money; such stance contradicts with the legislation as the effects of the terminated sale agreement should be limited to the concerned contracting parties.
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Ngezahoguhora objected BNR’s arguments by which it states that it is not concerned by the sale agreement he concluded with Rekeraho. He argues that the main issue at hand does not stem from the sale agreement, he states that the issue concerns a plot that BNR sold to Rekeraho, which means that BNR was thereby the first seller while Rekeraho was the buyer. Besides, even the Supreme Court itself held that the concerned plot was not for BNR, as it belonged to Birikunzira, it is therefore clear that BNR must bear consequences in relation to the plot he sold to Rekeraho. Ingabire (Rekeraho’s spouse) submits that the statements of BNR that it did not conclude a sale agreement with Rekeraho are unfounded, because the contract concluded between BNR with Kicukiro District was about the sale of plots, and this is evidenced by the fact that every employee of BNR who wanted a plot was requested to refund BNR 1,200,000 Frw, an employee who fails to pay such money, could not secure a plot. Held: The seller shall warrant the buyer against the dispossession of the purchased property, or he/ she shall refund or request that the buyer is refunded by the one who dispossesses him/her of the purchased property; therefore, BNR is liable for the loss it incurred to Rekeraho, for the error it committed by of giving one plot to two employees, which led to the unfair dispossession of Ngezahoguhora who bought it, with reference to the principle of civil liability. The application for review of the case due to injustice has merit.
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Statutes referred to: Law No 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, article 111. Cases referred to: Nishimwe and other v. Mugenga, RCAA 00031/2016/SC, rendered by the Supreme Court, on 25/09/2019; Twagirayezu Alice and others v. Twagirayezu Albert and other, RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2020/SC, rendered by the Supreme Court on 10/12/2021; Ngizweninshuti v. Muhima, RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/SC, rendered by the Supreme Court on 21/02/2020; RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd v. Dusabimana, RS/INJUST/RC 00005/2021/SC, rendered by the Supreme Court on 21/01/2022 Doctrines Le Tourneau, Philippe & Cadiet, Loïc, Droit de la responsabilité. (1998). Page 715 – 716. Corbière, P. H. (1867). Le droit privé administratif et public dans ses rapports avec la conscience et le culte catholique. Martin-Beaupré., p. 493-496. Serge BRAUDO et Alexis BAUMANN, Dictionnaire Juridique, 1996-2019, available on https://www.dictionnaire- juridique.com, accessed on 14/07/2022.
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Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
This case originates from the agreement of 30/03/2010 on the sale of a plot of 750 m2 registered as plot n0 10270 located in Bwerankori Cell, Kigarama Sector, Kicukiro District in the City of Kigali. This agreement was concluded between Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and Rekeraho Aloys, who even proceeded with property ownership transfer formalities and the plot got finally registered on the names of Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse.
When Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse was about to develop his plot, he received a letter from the local authorities halting him from proceeding with the construction works, till the ruling on the case RC 157/09/TGI/NYAGE between the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) and Birikunzira Jean Baptiste who as well claimed for the very plot, arguing that he bought it from BNR when he was still working for it, but it later sold it to Rekeraho who was the employee of BNR.
Ngezahoguhora appealed to Kicukiro District and pleaded for justice for him to proceed with the construction works; arguing that the concerned plot was legally bought and he has all the related documents. When Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse got not satisfied with the feedback, he sued Ingabire Jacqueline, Rekeraho’s spouse and BNR was forced to intervene into the case. Ngezahoguhora prayed the Court for the rescission of the sale agreement he had concluded with Rekeraho Aloys, lamenting that the latter sold him a plot while he was aware that it is not his property and he backs his claim up with the ruling on
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the case RCAA 0031/14/CS, whereby the Supreme Court held that the disputed plot belonged to Birikunzira Jean Baptiste.
Ingabire Jacqueline submits that his late husband Rekeraho Aloys acquired the disputed plot from BNR as one of its employees. The plot first belonged to Birikunzira Jean Baptiste who as well worked for BNR, and who later got fired and was evicted from the plot. She argued that when her husband acquired the concerned plot, he registered it under his name, and he later sold it to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse.
BNR raised an objection over the claim inadmissibility and argued that it cannot be sued for a dispute that had already been decided by the courts and the judgments were final; it however requested that in case the Court finds it otherwise, Ngezahoguhora’s claim should not be admitted since BNR cannot be liable for the agreement between him and Rekeraho Aloys.
On 30/04/2019, the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge heard the case RC 00047/2018/TGI/NYGE and found that the courts solely decided on the issue regarding the contractual obligations between Rekeraho Aloys and Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, but they remained silent about who should refund Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse for the plot he had bought. The Court found with merits some of the requests Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, and it ordered to Ingabire Jacqueline to refund him 6, 700, 000 Frw that her husband received by the time the plot sale agreement was concluded. The Court found that BNR made a mistake when it decided to give one plot twice, which became the root cause of the whole dispute, and it ordered to BNR to give to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse a balance of 15,800,000 Frw remaining from a total sum of 22, 500,000 Frw for the actual
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current market value for the plot as per the details from real property valuer report. The Court has also ordered to BNR to give him 300,000 Frw as damages, 1,100,000 Frw as counsel fee and procedural fee.
Ingabire Jacqueline appealed against the above ruling before the High Court arguing that she should not be held accountable for refunding Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse over the disputed plot, and she insisted that it is actually BNR which should pay for the total refunding. The National Bank of Rwanda has as well appealed against the very ruling, and prayed the Court to examine the objection it raised over the claim inadmissibility, and it also requested the Court to examine the fairness of the Court’s decision that ordered to it to pay 15,800,000 Frw to Ngezahoguhora Ildefonse, a person with whom it had no contractual obligation, and it also requested the Court to examine whether it should be charged for damages.
With the case RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG-RCA 00251/2019/KIG rendered on 27/08/2020, the High Court found that BNR was the first seller, and it therefore had an obligation of warranting Rekeraho Aloys against the dispossession of the purchased property, and thus indirectly protecting Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse who, by later bought the very plot. The Court ordered to BNR to refund Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse with 22,500,000 Rwf for the disputed plot.
The National Bank of Rwanda was not satisfied with the ruling of the case, and it petitioned the Court of Appeal for injustice-related review of case RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG-RCA 00251/2019/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 27/08/2020. The President of the Court of Appeal examined the petition and wrote to the President of the Supreme Court praying him to have
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the above case reviewed for injustice related grounds. The President of the Supreme Court examined the case report, and sent it to the Supreme Court registry for hearing, and it got registered as RS/INJUST/RC 00002/2022/SC.
The hearing was conducted in public on 15/06/2022, all the parties were present; BNR was represented by Counsel Murego Jean Léonard, Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse was assisted by Counsel Nsabayezu Evariste, while Ingabire Jacqueline was assisted by Counsel Habakurama François Xavier.
The Court examined the two underlying issues that included the determination of the person who should refund Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse for the plot he had purchased, and determining whether the damages claimed by the parties should be granted to them. II. ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL ISSUES OF THE CASE i Determining a person who should refund Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse for the plot he bought from Rekeraho Aloys
Counsel Murego Jean Léonard representing BNR argues that the High Court made an error when it ordered to BNR to pay to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse the amount of 22,500,000 Frw without referring to any law, any contract or any other error and thus exempting Rekeraho’s family for the received amount of 6,700,000 Frw. Counsel Murego argues that such a stance contradicts with the provisions of articles 280 and 310 of Book III of the Civil Code, arguing that the effects of a rescinded sale
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agreement should be limited to the concerned contracting parties; he states that the effects should be limited to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and the family of Rekeraho Aloys, hereby represented by Ingabire Jacqueline who, therefore, should be ordered to refund the total price of the plot.
He went on and explained that there is neither legislation nor contractual obligation that provides for a joint civil liability between BNR and Rekeraho’s family towards Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, arguing that the agreement concluded between BNR and Kicukiro District was not the sale agreement as it is alleged by other parties, rather, it was the agreement concluded in a bid to help the employees of BNR to secure plots. With regard to the sum of 1,200, 000 Frw that every employee was requested to deposit, the lawyer of BNR explained that the above amount was meant for the plot development; therefore, the High Court should not make reference to article 310 of the Civil code book III, since this provision concerns the obligations between the seller and the buyer.
Counsel Murego has also argued that Rekeraho Aloys was always aware of any related deals that BNR undertook as it is evidenced by a number of correspondences that BNR sent out; such as the letter of 21/04/2008, whereby BNR requested that the concerned plot should be taken from Birikunzira Jean Baptiste and be registered on Rekeraho Aloys. He states that Rekeraho Aloys was well aware of the previously related lawsuits that existed between Birikunzira Jean Baptiste and Nyiransengiyumva, Rekeraho Aloys had been a party to those lawsuits, and he well knew that his claims are founded.
The lawyer of BNR concluded on this issue by requesting the Court to make reference to articles 33 and 63 of Civil Code
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Book III then into force by the time the contract was concluded and articles 64 and 113 of the Law no 45/2011 of the 25/11/2011 governing contracts, and hold that the plot sale agreement of the 30/03/2010 does not concern BNR, and rule that such contract should be limited to the concerned contracting parties, who by the virtue of the very contract, have even proceeded with property ownership transfer formalities. He adds that, since the above mentioned agreement has been invalidated by the ruling of the case RCA 0412/10/HC/KIG rendered on 20/09/2013 with reference to articles 276, 256, 303, 306, 307 and 310 of Civil Code Book III; the Court should order for the reset of the pristine status and Ingabire Jacqueline should refund to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse the plot price.
In his submissions and during the hearing, Counsel Nsabayezu Evariste who assists Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, states that BNR’s argument about having concluded no agreement with Rekeraho Aloys, is pointless. He argues that the dispute at hand does not stem from the latest agreement, it rather originates from a plot that Rekeraho Aloys bought from BNR, which makes it clear that BNR was the plot’s first seller, while Rekeraho Aloys was a buyer; except that by the ruling on the case RCAA 0031/14/CS, page 10 and paragraph [28], the Supreme Court held that BNR sold the plot which did not belong to it, rather it belonged to Birikunzira Jean Baptiste.
Counsel Nsabayezu argues that the above stance makes it clear that BNR should bear the consequences from the sale agreement it concluded with Rekeraho Aloys when it sold to him the plot n0 10270 which later turned out to be for another person; more so that BNR had an obligation of warranty to Rekeraho Aloys against the dispossession of the purchased property as per
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the provision of article 302 of Civil Code Book III, and an obligation of warranting him against any latent defects in the purchased item together with any redhibitory defects as per the provision of article 310 of the very Book. He also requested the Court to make reference to articles 113 and 303 of the above mentioned Book, and move that the High Court made no error when it ordered to BNR to bear consequences arising from the agreement concluded between Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and Rekeraho Aloys.
With regard to the pre-deposit of 1,200,000 Frw that BNR requested to every employee for a plot, Counsel Nsabayezu Evariste argued that such deposit was for the plot purchasing price, and a mere fact that BNR lost a related case whereby the Supreme Court revoked the sale agreement of the concerned plot does not prevent Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse from pursuing his right to the refunding for the plot he had purchased. But given the fact that from 2010 up to now the land value price kept increasing, the Court should award him 60,000,000 Frw, and not 22,500,000 Frw that had been granted by the High Court.
Counsel Habakurama François Xavier who assists Ingabire Jacqueline, states that the BNR’s argument by which it concluded no agreement with Rekeraho Aloys is unfounded; more so that the agreement BNR concluded with Kicukiro District was about the buying of plots, and this reality is evidenced by the fact that every employee who intended to secure a plot was requested to first make a pre-deposit of 1, 200,000 Frw, the employee who fails to pay such amount could not be given a plot.
Counsel Habakurama François Xavier submits that BNR does not deny that Rekeraho Aloys was one of its employees who
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received the plots and he was given 1,200,000 Frw, he cleared its repayment on 19/02/2010, he received the repayment clearance certificate. He therefore argues that Rekeraho Aloys did not do any wrong, and he had all the legal rights to sell his property to Ngezahoguhora Ildephons, and BNR had an obligation to warrant him the enjoyment of the purchased property. He explained that Rekeraho’s rights are furthermore proven by the fact that when he sold the concerned plot to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, he had all the related documents that included the cadastral plot design, the building permit, and the plot land title, and the same is confirmed by the ruling on the case RCA 0031/14/CS, between Birikunzira Jean Baptiste, Nsengiyumva and BNR, in which Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and Rekeraho Aloys intervened, and whereby in paragraph [35] of the ruling, the Supreme Court held that BNR did err when it decided to give the same plot to its two employees, and it did not request for quashing the judgment.
Furthermore, due to the fact that the Court held that BNR is civilly liable for the effects from the case between Birikunzira Jean Baptiste and Nyiransengiyumva, Counsel Habakurama François Xavier submits that BNR should as well be liable for the consequences arising from the agreement concluded between Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and Rekeraho Aloys since Birikunzira Jean Baptiste and Rekeraho Aloys were both its employees; therefore, it should settle the disputes that rose from the acts of Rekeraho Aloys, as it did for the case of Birikunzira Jean Baptiste.
He further states that in case the Courts held that Rekeraho Aloys should refund Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse,
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article 258 of Civil code Book III, and article 481 of the Law n0 45/2011 of the 25/11/2011 governing the contracts entitle to him the right to sue National Bank of Rwanda as the root cause of all his troubles.
He then concludes by adding that in case the Court moves by ordering to Rekeraho’s family to refund Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse with 6,700,000 Frw it received, it should as well order to BNR to give to Ingabire Jacqueline 15,000,000 Frw for the plot’s current value price within 16 years from the plot sale, since the land value annually increases, and the money to be refunded to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse should be deducted from the money repaid by BNR to Rekeraho Aloys. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
With reference to the submissions and explanations from BNR’s lawyer, the main issue considered as the ground for which the case RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG was subjected to the application for review on grounds of injustice is the fact that the High Court held that BNR should pay to to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse the total refunding for the plot he bought from Rekeraho Aloys, it exempted the family of Rekeraho Aloys for 6,700,000 Frw it received. The respondents argue that it is BNR which should be held liable for the mistakes it committed by selling one plot to its two employees, and it should refund to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse for the total cost of the concerned plot, computed at its current market value.
1 Article 48 of the Law n0 45/2011 of 25/11/2011 governing contracts provides that a party bears the risk of a mistake when it is aware that, at the time the contract was made, it had only limited knowledge with respect to the facts to which the mistake relates but considered such limited knowledge as sufficient.
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The case file indicates that on 02 March 2006, the National Bank of Rwanda and Kicukiro District entered into an agreement whereby Kicukiro District agreed to give to BNR 92 middle standing plots located in Kigarama Sector, for constructing for its employees the houses built with semi-durable materials. Article 2 of the above mentioned agreement provides that Kicukiro District undertook to develop the roads and compensate the residents, while article 3 of the agreement stipulated that BNR shall avail funds for developing the plots amounting to 1,200,000 Frw per each plot.
The Court finds that, as expounded along with the case under review for injustice related grounds, after being given the plots by Kicukiro District, BNR gave to Rekeraho Aloys the plot registered on n0 10270 which is evoked in the paragraph one of this case, he paid 1,200,000 Frw and BNR delivered to him the payment clearance certificate, on 21/04/2008, BNR requested Kicukiro District to remove Birikunzira Jean Baptiste from the concerned plot and register it on Rekeraho Aloys, its employee. Rekeraho Aloys later sold it out to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse on 30/03/2010.
The Court finds that the main reason for which the High Court held that BNR should refund the price of the plot that Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse bought from Rekeraho Aloys , lies in the fact that through the agreement BNR concluded with Kicukiro District, it sold a plot to Rekeraho Aloys yet it had already sold it out to Birikunzira Jean Baptiste. It relied on the fact that Rekeraho Aloys to BNR the sum of 1,200,000 Frw for the acquisition of the concerned plot. The legal counsel for Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and Ingabire Jacqueline rely on that payment for stating that such is the price given, they request that
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BNR should warrant the property it sold to Rekeraho Aloys after dispossessing Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse.
With regard to the sum of 1,200,000 Frw which every BNR’s employee was requested to deposit for a plot, the Court finds that, with reference to article (3) of the agreement concluded between Kicukiro District and BNR, there is no indication that such amount was the price of the plot given to an employee as alleged by the legal counsel for Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and Ingabire Jacqueline; instead, both contracting parties agreed that the above deposit was meant for the layout of the plots, just as it has been explained under paragraph [25] of this case. Therefore, the fact that BNR made a total prepayment of 110, 400,000 Rwf, of which it later recollected at ratios of 1,200,000 from each of its employees who received a plot, does not requalify the purpose of the above deposits just as the BNR’s lawyer put it. Therefore, those who termed the above deposits as the plots’ price have no justification; thus clarifying the inapplicability of warrant against the dispossession of the purchased property since BNR has never entered into any sale agreement neither with the District nor with Mr. Rekeraho Aloys.
With regard to the Principle of warrant against dispossession of the purchased property, the Court finds that legal scholars including Philippe Le Tourneau and Loïc Cadiet argue that with reference to the famous principle, the warrantor should not interfere with the buyer’s enjoyment of the purchased property, and this means that the seller should not inconvenience the buyer on the purchased property unless he/she first rescinds the existing sale agreement. They also argue that the interference
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on the purchased property means the buyer’s dispossession of the purchased property owing to third parties’ rights2.
Another legal scholar states that even when the sale agreement contains no warranty clause, the seller shall always be obliged to warrant the buyer against the whole or partial dispossession of the purchased property, the seller shall as well warrant the buyer against any undeclared third parties claim’s on the purchased property3.
With reference to the above scholars’ explanations, the Court finds that the principle makes it clear that the seller is responsible for the buyer’s eviction from the purchased immovable property. This is the very stance that was held by the Supreme Court in the case RCAA 00031/2016/SC, whereby the Court decided that the seller shall warrant the buyer’s rights against any assailment on the purchased item, and that the seller shall refund or have the buyer refunded by the dispossessing third parties 4.
2 Le Tourneau, Philippe & Cadiet, Loïc, Droit de la responsabilité. (1998). Page 715 – 716, Selon une maxime célèbre, qui doit garantie ne peut évincer, elle signifie que le vendeur ne doit pas perturber la jouissance paisible de l’acquéreur. Concrètement, il ne saurait invoquer un droit sur le bien (trouble de droit, sauf pour intenter une action en nullité absolue ⦋..⦌. L’éviction est la perte que souffre l’acheteur de la chose vendue, ou d’une part, par le droit d’un tiers. 3 Corbière, P. H. (1867). Le droit privé administratif et public dans ses rapports avec la conscience et le culte catholique. Martin-Beaupré., p. 493- 496.Quoique lors de la vente, il n’ait été fait aucune stipulation sur la garantie, le vendeur est obligé de droit, à garantir l’acquéreur de l’éviction qu’il souffre de la totalité ou partie de l’object vendu, ou des charges prétendues sur cet objet, et non déclarées lors de la vente. 4 Case n0 RCAA 00031/2016/SC with Nishimwe Claudine, Mashami Gisèle v. Mugenga Joseph, rendered on 25/09/2019.
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With regard to the effects of the purchased property restitution by the buyer, this Court set a precedent when it held that the sellers must refund the dispossessed buyers at the current market value of the returned property, and all in consideration of the actual market value price of the returned property.5
With reference to the explanations provided under the preceding paragraph, the Court finds that the principle of warrant against dispossession of the purchased property binds late Rekeraho Aloys, hereby represented by Ingabire Jacqueline, his spouse, as a seller who sold the concerned plot to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse, who later got evicted from the disputed plot by the ruling of the case RCA 0412/10/HC/KIG which held that the concerned plot belonged to Birikunzira Jean Baptiste and thereby rescinded the sale agreement between Rekeraho Aloys and Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse.
[34] With regard to the amount that Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse should be refunded, the Court finds that Ingabire Jacqueline shall refund him with 22,500,000 Frw equivalent to the plot market value as determined on 08/11/2017 by Eng. Rutazana Jérôme, the property valuation expert. The statement of Counsel Nsabayezu Evariste that Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse deserves a refunding of 60,000,000 Frw that equates the plot’s current market value is unfounded, because as set by this Court in different cases, such a request has never been examined before, and neither did he apply for the case-review6.
5 See case n0 RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2020/SC with Twagirayezu Alice and others v. Twagirayezu Albert and Umumaranyota Agnès, rendered on 10/12/2021, page 18, paragraphs 41 and 42. 6 See case RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2018/SC with Ngizweninshuti Albert v. Muhima Giovani, rendered on the 21/02/2020, paragraph 21.
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The Court finds that BNR is liable for the loss it incurred on Rekeraho Aloys by having dispossessed him of the plot he had purchased due to the BNR’s mistake7 of giving the same plot to its two employees. The principle of civil liability has as well been explained along different cases rendered by this Court8. Therefore, BNR must pay to Ingabire Jacqueline 15,800,000 Frw, emanating from 22,500,000 Frw that Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse should be refunded with, and by deducting 6,700,000 Frw that Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse had paid to Rekeraho Aloys by the time of the plot purchasing. BNR should as well refund Ingabire Jacqueline for 1,200,000 Frw which Rekeraho Aloys had deposited for being given the plot by BNR. Whether the damages requested by the parties should be granted to them
Counsel Murego Jean Léonard made reference to article 258 of Civil Code book III, paragraph 2 of article 111 of the Law n0 22/2022 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, and article 109 of the Law governing contracts, and he prayed the Court to order to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse and Ingabire Jacqueline to jointly pay to BNR 2,500,000 Frw for having dragged the Bank into unnecessary lawsuits. He also requested for the payment of the counsel fee,
7 Cited by Serge Braudo and Alexis Baumann, Dictionnaire Juridique, 1996- 2019, available on https://www.dictionnaire-juridique.com › definition › do..., accessed on 14/07/2022, la responsabilité civile est engagée, soit en raison de l'inexécution d'un contrat, soit en raison d'un acte volontaire ou non, entraînant pour la personne qui est fautive ou qui est légalement présumée fautive, l'obligation de réparer le dommage qui a été subi par une ou plusieurs autres. 8 See case RS/INJUST/RC 0005/2021/SC with RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd v. Dusabimana Fulgence rendered on the 21/01/2022, paragraphs 26, 31 and 35.
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arguing that BNR incurred a loss of time, money and a variety of other resources for the follow-up on this case.
Counsel Nsabayezu Evariste assisting Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse argues that the BNR’s request for damages has no justification since it is BNR’s mistakes that made Mr. Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse being dispossessed of his plot. He prays the Court to grant to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse 2,000,000 Frw for the counsel fee, and 500, 000 Frw for procedural fee in accordance with article 9 of the above mentioned Law n0 22/2022 and article 34 of Regulation fixing the scale of fees for Advocates.
Counsel Habakurama François Xavier who assists Ingabire Jacqueline argues that BNR does not deserve damages because it disregards the problem it caused and cannot even account for. Basing on the article 111 of the above mentioned Law n0 22/2022, he requests that Ingabire Jacqueline should be repaid for all expenses incurred in these cases in which she was dragged by BNR and be granted 2,000,000 Frw for counsel fee and 500,000 Frw for procedural fee. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 111 of the Law n0 22/2018 of 29/04/2018, relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure provides that “the claim for representation fees is an incidental claim to the principal claim aiming to repay expenses incurred during judicial proceedings. The claim for legal costs is adjudicated at the same time with the principal claim. It can also be admitted and adjudicated even if the principal claim has not been admitted”
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The Court finds that the damages that Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse is claiming for the counsel fee and for case follow-up related expenses are worthy awarding since he incurred case- related expenses owing to the revocation of the sale agreement he had concluded with Rekeraho Aloys, and all originating from BNR’s mistakes that made him evicted from the property he had purchased, and which pushed him into seeking a legal assistance. Nevertheless, since he requested for an excessive amount and which he cannot account for, the Court has discretionarily awarded him 500,000 Frw for the counsel fee, and 300, 000 Frw for the incurred case-related expenses, the total is 800,000 Frw. The Court held that the above total will be paid by both BNR and Ingabire Jaqueline who lost on some issues of the case, each one shall pay the half of the amount which is 400,000 Frw.
The Court finds that BNR and Ingabire Jacqueline should not be granted the counsel fee and the procedural fee they claimed since they have lost on some issues of the case. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Holds that the application of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) seeking the injustice-related review of the case n0 RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on 27/08/2020, is justified in part;
Holds that the ruling on the case RCA 00250/2019/HC/KIG rendered by the High Court on the 27/08/2020 is entirely overturned;
Orders to Ingabire Jacqueline to pay to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse 22,500,000 Frw;
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Orders to the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) to pay to Ingabire Jacqueline 17,000,000 Frw; [46] Orders to the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) and Ingabire Jacqueline to jointly pay to Ngezahoguhora Ildephonse 800,000 Frw, each one shall pay the half of the amount which is 400,000 Frw.
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## Page 473
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BATSINDA ET.AL v BIZIMANA ET.AL [Rwanda COURT OF APPEAL – RCAA00002/2021/CA (Kamere, P.J.) 03 March 2023] Expropriation procedure – Expropriation in case of the implementation of the land use master plan – A person who has been granted property by a competent authority, consisting of a house and land, as part of expropriation in public interest, and who has also provided the required compensation, is considered to have been legally granted that property in accordance with the laws governing expropriation, his/her rights over that property, should not be violated. Facts: The case started when Batsinda, Mukandoli and Mukabatsinda sued Bizimana in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge seeking for the invalidation of the emphyteutic lease title registered to Bizimana and Mukamana, and then be registered to the heirs of Butera who are the plaintiffs claiming that the defendant has been fraudulently registered on the disputed property. The Court in the case RC00499/2017/TGI/NYGE, declared that the claim filed by the plaintiffs is founded, and ordered that the disputed land be registered to the heirs of Butera, and be removed from Bizimana and Mukamana. Bizimana was not satisfied with that decision and appealed to the High Court, arguing that the claim filed by Butera's heirs represented by Batsinda at the first level should not have been admitted, He contended that they should not have sought to invalidate the emphyteutic land title granted to them, as it is an authentic deed and cannot be challenged without first addressing 187
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it in a criminal court as a forged document. He further argued that the land was allocated to him by the government, which had expropriated the heirs, and that he had provided fair compensation. The High Court in the case RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG declared the appeal filed by Bizimana filed, the appealed case changed in all its parts, and ruled that the disputed land belongs to Bizimana. Batsinda and his colleagues appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal, asking to consider whether the High Court should have declared that the disputed land of Butera's heirs should be retained by Bizimana and whether the various damages ordered to be paid by Batsinda and his colleagues should be invalidated. Bizimana argues that the High Court did not make any mistakes in deciding that he should keep the land, as it was allocated to him by the competent government authority in 2004 after providing the required fair compensation. The Court of Appeal in the case RCAA00002/2021/CA declared that Batsinda and his colleagues lose the case because they were unable to provide the claimed evidence of fraud by which Bizimana was registered as the owner of the disputed property, because it was attributed to him by the competent government authority and after fulfilling all requirements according to the provisions of the law relating to the expropriation into force at that time. Held: A person who has been granted a property by the competent government authority, which consists of house and land through expropriation, and who has provided the required fair compensation, has received that property in accordance with the Law on Expropriation, and his rights over that property cannot be violated. Therefore, the expropriated person cannot be
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taken as the owner of that property pretending that he refused to take the compensation and that did not do what the law provides to prove that he/she was not satisfied with the compensation he/she received. Appeal lacks merit. Statutes and statutory referred to: Law No 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure, article 12, 111 Decree-Law n° 21/79 of July 23, 1979 relating to expropriation as confirmed by Law n° 01/82 of January 26, 1982. No case laws referred to. Judgment I. BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
In case RC00499/2017/TGI/NYGE, Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata sued Bizimana Augustin in the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, seeking for the invalidation of the emphyteutic lease title nº 1/02/13/03/815 registered on Bizimana Augustin and Mukamana Dancille, then registered to the heirs of Butera Emile, also they requested various damages. At that level, Kasine Félicité was forcibly intervened. The plaintiffs explained that they are the brothers of the late Butera Emile and his legal heirs, that the left disputed property, was fraudulently registered to Bizimana Augustin and Mukamana Dancille.
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On 02/11/2018, the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge ruled on the case and declared that the claim filed by Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata is founded, held that Bizimana Augustin had registered himself and his wife as the owners of the plot of land with UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 located in Rukiri I Cell, Remera Sector, which includes the land belonging to Butera Emile should be succeeded by Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata, with a surface of 4 ares and 75 Ca, which should be separated and returned to the heirs of Butera Emile, ordered that the emphyteutic lease title nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 of the land located in Agashyitsi Village, Rukiri I Cell, Remera Sector, Gasabo District registered to Bizimana Augustin and Mukamana Dancille, be corrected by separating the portion of land belonging to Butera Emile suceeded by Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata, with a surface of 4 ares and 75 Ca, and it should be registered to them.
Bizimana Augustin was not satisfied with that decision, he appealed to the High Court, his appeal was recorded on RCA 00417/2018/HC/KIG, he stated that the claim of the heirs of Butera Emille represented by Batsinda Camille at the first level should not have been admitted, because they would not have sought for invalidation of the emphyteutic lease title with UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 granted to him, as it is an authentic deed, without first challenging it as a forged document in a criminal court, therefore the appealed case RC 00499/2017/TGI/NYGE should be dismissed. He appealed and requested that from the plot with UPI : 1/02/13/03/815, should not be separated a surface of 4 ares and 75 Ca of the heirs of Butera Emile, that because he was granted it by the government following the expropriation of these heirs, for which he provided fair compensation, he also requested
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that the damages awarded to the heirs of Butera Emile represented by Batsinda Camille should be dismissed, and the damages he claimed due to the incurred loss should be taken into consideration.
On 09/10/2020, the High Court ruled on the case, declared Bizimana Augustin’s appeal justified, that the appealed case RC 00499/2017/TGI/NYGE reversed in all its parts, and that the land wih a surface of 4 ares 75 ca belonged to the heirs of Butera Emile, namely Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata located in the plot nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 retained with Bizimana Augustin. It ordered to Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata to pay to Bizimana Augustin the damages amounting to six million five hundred and forty thousand (6,540,000 Frw) including five million (5,000,000 Frw) of damages, one million five hundred (1,500,000 Frw) counsel’s fees, and forty thousand (40,000 Frw) for court fees.
On 08/11/2020, Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata appealed against that decision to the Court of Appeal, their appeal was registered under RCAA 00002/2021/CA, seeking to consider whether the High Court should have declared that the land with a surface of 4 ares 75 ca belonging to the heirs of Butera Emile located in the plot with nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 should be retained by Bizimana Augustin and whether the various damages ordered to be paid by Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata should be dismissed.
The case was heard in public on 13/10/2021, Batsinda Camile assisted by Counsel Nubumwe Jean Bosco and Counsel Ngarambe Raphaël who also represented Mukandoli Marcelle,
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Mukabatsinda Annonciata and Kasine Félicité, while Bizimana Augustin was assisted by Counsel Taremwa Danitar Daniel and Counsel Bayingana Janvier, the Court examined the objection regarding the lack of jurisdiction raised by the side of the respondent Bizimana Augustin.
On 29/10/2021, the Court ruled on the objection, declared that the second appeal filed by Batsinda Camille, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata falls within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal, ordered that the hearing of this case will continue on 10/11/2021 from 09 :30 am.
The case was postponed for various reasons until scheduled on 13/02/2023, and it was heard, the parties were assisted as it was, Batsinda Camile was assisted by Counsel Nubumwe Jean Bosco and Counsel Ngarambe Raphaël who also represented Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata and Kasine Félicité, while Bizimana Augustin was assisted by Counsel Taremwa Danitar Daniel and Counsel Bayingana Janvier.
The case was heard on the grounds of appeal raised during the pretrial conference, regarding whether the High Court should have declared that the land with a surface of 4 ares 75 ca belonging to the heirs of Butera Emile located in nº UPI 1/02/13/03/ 815 should be retained by Bizimana Augustin, whether various damages ordered to be paid by Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata should be dismissed, the issue of moral damages equal to 10,000,000Frw and the damages for being dragged in unnecessary lawsuits equal to 5,000,000Frw requested by the appellants, and the procedural fees requested by both parties. The pronouncement of the
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judgment was scheduled on 24/02/2023 but later the Court potponed it on 03/03/2023. II. ANALYSIS OF LEGAL ISSUES i. Determine whether the High Court erred by declaring that the land measuring 4 ares 75 ca which previously belonged to the heirs of Butera Emile, located in the plot with UPI 1/02/13/03/815, sould be retained by Bizimana Augustin
Counsel Ngarambe Raphaël and Counsel Nubumwe Jean Bosco, who assist Batsinda Camile, and also represent Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata and Kasine Félicité argue that they challenge the High Court's decision that the land measuring 4 Ares 75 ca belonging to the heirs of Butera Emile located in the plot with UPI 1/02/13/03/815 should be retained by Bizimana Augustin. They explain that, when the heirs of Butera Emile, who are Batsinda Camille, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata, realised that Bizimana Augustin had fraudletly registered in his name the property of Butera Emile, they brought the matter to the various administrative organs including City of Kigali, Gasabo District and the Sector to help them regain their relative's property, and having analyzed the issue based on various documents related to the land registered on UPI: 1/02/13/03/815, they found that Bizimana Augustin and his wife had used fraud to register such plot of land, and they wrote to the Director General of the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority seeking for the invalidation of such fraudulently obtained land title.
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They further explain that, after receiving such information about the fraud, the Director General of Rwanda Natural Resources Authority wrote to Batsinda Camille asking him to pursue Bizimana Augustin before the competent authorities, so that the land title should be invalidated, and such stance was upheld by the Minister of Natural Resources.
They add that the fact that the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge based on various administrative documents, the fact that Bizimana did not put a building on that land, and the fact that Batsinda Camille also requested to build it, and ordered that the land measuring 4 ares 75 ca should be separated from the plot of land granted to Bizimana Augustin with an area equal to 21 ares 49 ca, they found that such facts are justified. They find that the fact that the High Court's decision based on expropriation is flawed, because the City of Kigali itself during the hearing confirmed that no expropriation was carried out, the reason why they request that the decision of the High Court should be overturned.
They submit that they base on article 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 as amended in 2015, on point 2 of article 17 of the International Convention on Human Rights of 10/12/1948, and article 34 of Law n0 43/2013 of 16/06/2013 governing land in Rwanda.
Counsel Taremwa Daniel Danitar and Counsel Bayingana Janvier, assisting Bizimana Augustin, defend on this ground of appeal bu submitting that on 20/06/2014, after the letter of 30/8/2013, for nine months (9) and twenty-one days (21) ago, the Mayor of Gasabo District wrote to the Registrar of Land Titles a letter with nº 1345/07/01.02/2014, whereby in its paragraph five (5), requested that the land title of the plot with UPI:
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1/02/13/03/815 should be invalidated as "the caveat which was put on it by Batsinda Camile has no reason to be cancelled", and he also tacled on the case RC 0180/10/TB/KMA decided on 29/09/2010, to uphold that the Court declared that Batsinda, Mukandoli and Mukabatsina are the legal heirs of the late Butera Emile. They add that what the Mayor did not mention in his letter, is that in the case RC 0127/04/TP/KIG decided on 04/01/2006, eight (8) years, five (5) months and seventeen days ago (17), the Mayor of Gasabo District wrote the letter nº 1345/07/01.02/2014, whereby those heirs " were designed to inherit ½ of the value agreed by both parties on the house which was in the plot of land located in Remera, Kacyiru, Rukiri I for which the expropriation compensation was calculated by the City of Kigali".
They aver that in paragraph 13 of the case RCA 00417/2018/HC/KIG, the High Court found that on 23/6/2004 Bizimana Augustin applied to the City of Kigali for a commercial plot and it was measured, and he was granted the cadastral plan n0 10184 which indicates that he was granted the land measuring 21 ares 49 ca. Since the land he was granted was occupied by others, the City of Kigali required him to provide compensation, he so did, as evidenced by Invoice nº 22564/VK of 8/7/2004, where he paid a compensation equal to 13,313,218 Frw to the Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR), and that on 22/11/2004 he paid other 4,666,451 Frw of expropriation on Invoice nº 28368/VK, and the payment was made for expropriation.
It is recalled that in paragraph 21 of the case RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG, the High Court said : “according to the Ombudsman's report and various elements of evidence, the expropriation was carried out, the plot of land has been granted as evidenced by the documents of the City of Kigali which
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granted that plot", then in paragraph 26 of the case, the High Court has stated : "Bizimana did not fraudlently obtain the land of Succession Butera Emile, but he has been granted it by the competent authority. As upheld by the Court, the City of Kigali did not commit an error nor violate the law that would warrant depriving Bizimana of this land since he provided fair compensation". They also add that for this reason, along with many others, the High Court declared that "the land measuring 4 ares 75 ca belonged to the heirs of Butera Emile located with UPI : 1/02/13/03/815, would be retained by Bizimana Augustin”.
They also submit that the claim of the appellants that the disputed land belongs to the heirs of Butera Emile is not true, because since the beginning of the case up to date they have never had the right to the property of the land, because when Kasine Felecita sued them, the case was the house of the late Butera Emile and his wife Mukankurunziza Cansilide, and the Court made a decision that the heirs of the deceased would inherit the expropriation value and that this is confirmed by the letter nº271/6.04/05 of 14/09/2005, where the Court which was trying the succession case requested the City of Kigali to halt any work on the disputed house. Therefore, apart from relying on the letter nº 1345/07/01.02/2014, the appellants have no right to claim the government land on which Butera Emile had constructed a house.
Counsels for Batsinda Camile who also represent Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata and Kasine Felesita argue that what has been mentioned above by the counsels for Bizimana Augustin have been mentioned here for the first time and were not introduced in previous proceedings, that they require to the Court of Appeal to dismiss it because the disputed property originates from Butera Emile, as evidenced by
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the cadastral plan and the construction permit submitted in IECMS, which have been presented to the lower courts since the beginning of the case proceedings. The appellants have the right to claim the property based on the case RC0180/010/TB/KMA decided on 29/09/2010.
Regarding the aforementioned cadastral plan, Counsels for Bizimana Augustin reply that it should not considered as reliable as it does not bear the signature of the person who established it and the offical stamp of the State. They add that the statement that the land measuring 4 ares 75 ca belongs to the heirs of Butera Emile, is not true, the aforementioned land has never belonged to the heirs of Butera Emille and Mukankurunziza Cansilide because from 1994 to 25/06/2003 when the claim of Kasine Felicité was registered in court, apart from being the property of the heirs, that it had never belonged to the late Butera Emile and Mukankurunziza Cansilde because while they were still alive the land was the property of the State1. Therefore, for that reason, on any day or any hour, that land property never became the property of the heirs of Butera Emile, and that whenever the heirs of Butera Emile had the right to inherit, such right was equal to the rights of the brothers of Mukankurunziza Cansilde and the latters have already inherited a part of the value of the disputed property as ordered by the Court.
1 In Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forests, Water and Mines, National Land Policy, February 2004, p. 26 where it is mentioned that: “According to custom, land ownership is held by whoever occupies the land first. This rule has always been respected in our society. However, in modern times, land acquisition by occupation has become obsolete since all vacant land belongs to the State. Likewise, the provisions of the decree-law No. 09/76 of 4th March 1976, article 1, stipulates that “… all land not held under the written law and affected or not by customary law or land occupation belongs to the State”.
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DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
The dispute on this issue is based on whether the way the land with a surface of 4 ares 75 ca previously owned by the late Butera Emile was included as part of the plot nº UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 of Bizimana Augustin, was lawful, where the appellants aver that it was done in a fraudulent manner while in deciding the appealed case, the High Court erred in ruling that the procedure complied with the law, while the counsels of Bizimana Augustin stated that the High Court did not err in ruling that he should retain the plot because the land was granted to him by the competent government authority in 20042 after paying the required fair compensation.
Paragraph 1 of article 12 of Law n0 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure provides that "The claimant must prove a claim, failing which, the respondent wins the case".
The case file indicates that on 23/6/2004 Bizimana Augustin applied to the City of Kigali for a commercial plot in order to implement the City master plan, and it was granted to him because the plot was measured and the cadastral plan n0 10184 was attributed on the land with a surface of 21 ares 49 ca.
The case file also indicates that the plot of land granted to Bizimana Augustin was the land that was previously occupied by the activities of other people, because the City of Kigali requested
2 BIZIMANA Augustin argues that he paid for it the compensation amounting to 13.313.218 Frw in the Commercial Bank BCR on Invoice nº 22564/VK of 08/07/2004, and on 22/11/2004 he paid another amount of 4.666.451 Frw on Invoice nº 28368/VK for expropriation
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him to firstly provide the compensation for it as evidenced by invoice n0 22564/VK of 8/7/ 2004 for a payment equal to 13,313,218 Frw and invoice n0 28368/VK of 22/11/2004 for a payment equal to 4,666,451 Frw, both of them show that the money was deposited to the account of the City of Kigali in the Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR) for expropriation activities.
The case file indicates that the City of Kigali wrote to Batsinda Camille, who represents the heirs of Butera Emile, the letter n0 5152/07.11.10/04 of 21/9/2004 requesting him to come and see the value of his immovable property, and the letter n0 5256/0711.10/2004 of 29/9/2004 requesting him to look for estate valuer that had to work with the City of Kigali to revise the valuation in the above-mentioned plot n0 10184 as he had not agreed with the initial valuation. As it also appears in the case file, on 22/10/2004, the City of Kigali, based on those letters, wrote to him again informing him that the time he was given had expired, that the amount corresponding to the value of his immovable property in the above mentioned plot was deposited into the account of the City of Kigali, and he is required to come and collect it and immediately vacate the plot not later than fifteen (15) days.
The case file also indicates that Batsinda Camille did not comply with the request to vacate the plot that had already been paid for the activities that were in that plot, because it also indicates that on 18/11/2004 the City of Kigali took a written decision to demolish. This has not yet been implemented because on 10/01/2005 the Mayor of the City of Kigali once again wrote to Batsinda Camille informing him that the valuation of his property in the plot n0 10184 has been completed, and granted him another seven-day notice to reassess the valuation if he had
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not agreed with it, even on 4/29/2005 Batsinda Camille was again asked by this administration to reassess this valuation within four (4) days, but instead of implementing this administrative request, on 13/5/2005 he wrote to the City of Kigali seeking for justice. On 19/7/2005, the City of Kigali wrote to the Police requesting its assistance to forcibly evict Batsinda Camille from the plot n0 10184 because he had refused to vacate it amicably without providing any justification and Bizimana Augustin should proceed with what he was assigned to do.
The case file indicates that even after the aforementioned decision to forcibly remove the activities of Batsinda Camille’s family in the plot no 10184, which was awarded to Bizimana Augustin, this Batsinda Camille kept on being requested by various government authorities to go to the City of Kigali to collect the amount of money of the compensation that was calculated but he declined3, instead he decided to take his case to other authorities who also advised him to go and collect the amount of the compensation that was calculated but he did not agree and he continued the judicial process4.
3 On 20/8/2005, a letter was sent to him requesting him to come and collect the compensation, on 21/9/2005 he was reminded again that he must not exceed on 24/9/2005. On 22/10/2007, he received a letter from Gasabo District requesting him to go to the City of Kigali to collect a cheque equal to his share because KASINE Felicité had already received her share, in accordance with the court's order in case RC 0127/04/TP/KIG on the inheritance of the late BUTERA Emile and his wife. 4 See in the case file the report of the Office of the Ombudsman of 12/11/2008 where after analyzing this issue submitted by BATSINDA, the Office requested him to approach the City of Kigali to collect his share of the compensation, and also informed him that BIZIMANA Augustin has full rights to use his land in accordance with what was allowed to him by the competent administrative authorities.
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The Court finds that, according to the law, the High Court stated that Bizimana Augustin requested a commercial plot to the City of Kigali in accordance with Decree-Law n0 21/79 of July 23, 1979 relating to expropriation in public interest adopted by the Law n° 01/82 of 26/01/1982, the plot had already been granted but the Law n° 18/2007 of 19/04/2007 relatig to expropriation in public interest which was published before being able to do anything in this plot because Batsinda Camille kept institing to staty in this plot and not collecting the amount of money that was calculated.
Based on the elements of evidence and explanations mentioned above on which relied the High Court in adjudicating the appealed case5, this instant Court finds that Batsinda Camille, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annociata share the pleadings, and in this appeal they keep on loosing the case due to their inability to present elements of evidence of fraud to prove that Bizimana Augustin, the respondent, used so that he and his wife, Mukamana Dancille, should be registered as the owners of the immovable property registered on UPI 1/02/13/03/815, as provided in article 12 of Law n0 22/2018 mentioned above. Like the High Court that ruled on the appealed case, this instant Court also finds that Bizimana Augustin became the owner of this property granted to him by the competent government authority after complying with all the requirements in accordance with the provisions of the law relating to the expropriation in the public interest into force by that time, the fact that the heirs of Butera Emile, represented by Batsinda Camille, refused to collect the amount of the compensation calculated for them is a matter that must remain between them and the City of Kigali that
5 See the detailed explanation given by the High Court on this issue in paragraphs 13-28 of the appealed judgment.
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expropriated them and was given the amount calculated as compensation, this issue does not affect the legal rights granted to Bizimana Augustin as the property owner, allowing him to use the property as allowed by law. Therefore, the appeal of Batsinda Camille, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annociata is groundless on this issue. ii. Determine whether various damages to be paid by BATSINDA Camile, MUKANDOLI Marcelle and MUKABATSINDA Annonciata should be dismissed
Counsel Nubumwe Jean Bosco and Counsel Ngarambe Raphael Counsels for Batsinda Camile, and who represent Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata and Kasine Felesita requested the Court of Appeal to dismiss the various damages to be paid by Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata as ordered by the Court, because they were prejudiced by being fraudulently deprived of their relative's property.
Bizimana Augustin and his counsels request the Court of Appeal to consider the matter at its discretion, based on the fact that Batsinda Camile and his relatives are the ones who brought him into lawsuits, and they knew that they were claiming the rights not granted to them by the Court in the case RC0127/04/TP/KIG. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
The Court finds that the various damages claimed by the appellants to be dismissed are those described by the Court that rendered the judgment under appeal in its paragraph 33, page 11. The damages ordered by the Court to be paid by the appellants to
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Bizimana Augustin amounted to 5,000,000 Frw because the the heirs of Butera Emile impeded him to use the plot of land that the City of Kigali had granted to him in accordance with the law, they refused to receive the compensation and accused him into administrative authorities, 1,500,000 Frw for counsel's fee due to the time the case was lasting, and order the reimburse the court fee of 40,000 Frw.
The Court finds that the grounds on which Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata base their request that these damages should not be considered are that they were allegedly abused by Bizimana Augustin fraudulently taking their brother's property, and this ground of appeal is unfounded because, as explained above, the disputed property was granted to Bizimana Augustin by a competent authority in accordance with the law. iii. Determine whether the appellants should be granted the claimed moral damages and damages for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits
The appellants requested to the Court to order to Bizimana Augustin to pay to them moral damages amounting to ten million (10,000,000 Frw), which they requested in the High Court, which refused to award them, because they fraudulently registered the land as the heirs of Butera Emile. They also requested the Court to order to him to pay them damages for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits amounting to five million (5,000,000 Frw).
Bizimana Augustin and his counsels argue that the ten million (10,000,000 Frw) of moral damages claimed by the appellants are unjustified, and that Bizimana Augustin should
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instead be awarded the compensation for pecuniary loss of such amount, because he was denied the right to build a modern house that he had benefited for 16 years of litigation in the courts and administrative organs.
Regarding the damages requested by the appellants for for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits, they state that Bizimana Augustin trusts the Court's discretion in determining who brought the other party into court, asserting that he was not the one who initiated the case and argues that he, instead, should be awarded damages of fifteen million (15,000,000 Frw) for being dragged into unnecessary lawsuits since 2009. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
The Court finds that the grounds on which Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata base their claim for these damages are that they were illegally deprived of their property and were dragged into unnecessary lawsuits, this ground of appeal is unfounded because, as explained above, the disputed property was granted to Bizimana Augustin by a competent authority in accordance with the law. Furthermore, no lawsuits were initiated against them ; rather, they were the ones who filed a claim against him, which, as explained above, was found to be baseless.
Regarding the damages claimed by Bizimana Augustin, this instant Court finds them unjustified because those he requested in the appealed case were awarded at the Court's discretion, and he raised no criticisms regarding them in this appeal.
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iv. Regarding the procedural fees and counsel’s fees requested by the parties.
Counsel Ngarambe Raphaël and Counsel Nubumwe Jean Bosco, assisting Batsinda Camile, also representing Mukandoli Marcelle, Mukabatsinda Annonciata and Kasine Félicité request to the Court of Appeal to order to Bizimana Augustin to pay to the appellants the procedural and counsel’s fees amounting to 5.000.000Frw based on the scale of advocates’ fee.
Bizimana Augustin argues in his defense that the damages requested by the appellants are unjustified. He requests that the Court should examine and find that he is instead the one to be entitled to procedural and counsel’s fees who assisted him since 2009, and to award him an amount equal to 18,000,000 Frw. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 111 of Law n° 22/2018 of 29/04/ relating to the civil, commercial, labour and administrative procedure provides the following : “The claim for representation fees is an incidental claim to the principal claim aiming to repay expenses incurred during judicial proceedings. The claim for legal costs is adjudicated at the same time with the principal claim. It can also be admitted and adjudicated even if the principal claim has not been admitted. ” ;
The Court finds that the procedural fees and counsel’s fees requested by the appellants are not justified as they lost this case at the principal claim. It finds that Bizimana Augustin is the one who is entitled to them because he has hired lawyers to defend him and the case has been heard many times and for a long
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time at this instance. It finds, but, that 18,000,000 Frw requested is excessive, and therefore, in the Court’s discretion, Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata should be ordered to jointly pay to Bizimana Augustin 1,000,000 Frw for counsel’s fees and 500,000 Frw for procedural fees at this instance, in addition to the fees ordered in the appealed case. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Declares the appeal filed by Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata unfounded ;
Declares the ruling of the High Court of the case RCA00417/2018/HC/KIG decided on 09/10/2020 sustained in all its parts ;
Orders to Batsinda Camile, Mukandoli Marcelle and Mukabatsinda Annonciata to jointly pay to Bizimana Augustin 1,000,000 Frw for counsel’s fees and 500,000 Frw for procedural fee at this instance ;
Holds that the court fees deposited by the appellants cover the expenses of the proceedings.
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PROSECUTION v BIMENYIMANA [Rwanda Court of Appeal-RPAA 00048/2020/CA (Nyirandabaruta, P. J.) 26 May 2022] Criminal laws – Mitigating circumstance – Guilty plea – Guilty plea that is raised for the first time before an appellate court cannot constitute a mitigating circumstance for the offence since that such contradicts the provision of article 59 of the Law n0 68/2018 determining the offences and penalties in general. Facts: This case started from the Intermediate Court of Musanze, the Prosecution arraigned the accused for different offences that included the offence of attempt to commit rape, serious intentional assault and battery on another person and sexual torture. The seized Court heard the case and held that the accused is convicted for the offences of serious intentional assault and battery as well as sexual torture, it sentenced him to the life imprisonment. The accused was not satisfied with the judgment ruling and appealed against the verdict before the High Court, Musanze Chamber, he submitted that he was sentenced to severe penalties, he requested for the penalty reduction as he admitted that he beat and injured the victim, but he did not pierce a stake into her sexual organs. The very Court heard the appeal and sustained the appealed judgment. The accused appealed against the above ruling before the Court of Appeal and he submitted that (at this instance) he appealed for pleading guilty and apologizing as he took the victim and attempted to rape her due to drunkenness, she refused and he 207
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violently pushed her down, at all levels, he denied it because he was advised by his fellow inmates to do so, later he understood the gravity of offence and that is why he seeks forgiveness. The Prosecution submitted that he accused does not challenge appealed judgment since it examined his request (to be declared innocent to the offence of sexual torture), for that offence he was sentenced to life imprisonment; it finds that his request was unfounded because there are incriminating elements of evidence and it expounds that he does not even deserve penalty reduction because he cruelly committed the offences of which he was convicted. Held: 1. Guilty plea that is formulated for the first time before an appellate court cannot constitute a mitigating circumstance for the offence since that such contradicts the provision of article 59 of the Law n0 68/2018 determining the offences and penalties in general. The appeal lacks merit. Statutes referred to: Law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 as modified by Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 determining offences and penalties in general, articles 59 and 114; Law No30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts, article 52, paragraph one; Law No 027/2019 of 19/09/2019 relating to criminal procedure, article 183, paragraphs 5 and 6.
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Cases referred to: Prosecution v. Munyagishari, RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 07/05/2021; Prosecution v. Habiyakare, RPAA 00013/2020/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 31/12/2021; Prosecution v. Rusesabagina and others, RPA 00060/2021/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on 04/04/2022. Judgment I. BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
The case started from the Intermediate Court of Musanze, the Prosecution arraigned Bimenyimana Jean Paul for the offences he committed in the night of 18/09/2018 that included the attempt to commit rape, serious intentional assault and battery and sexual torture against Nyirakanza Séraphine.
On 07/11/2018 the Intermediate Court of Musanze heard the case RP 00464/2018/TGI/MUS and held that Bimenyimana Jean Paul is convicted of serious intentional assault and battery as well as sexual torture and it sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Bimenyimana Jean Paul was not satisfied with the verdict and he appealed the case before the High Court, Musanze Chamber, he submitted that he was sentenced to severe penalties, he requested for the penalty reduction as he admitted that he beat and injured Nyirakanza Séraphine but he did not pierce a stake into her sexual organs.
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On 11/04/ 2019, the High Court, Musanze Chamber heard the case RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS and with reference to the testimonies given by Nyirakabanza Séraphine, Rwemeza Félicien and the Executive Secretary of Kirebe Cell, all testified that it is Bimenyimana Jean Paul who assaulted Nyirakabanza Séraphine and to the medical report issued by Dr. Nkinzingabo Rusangiza Evariste on 28/09/2018 detailing on the state of Nyirakabanza Séraphine’s health at her arrival at the hospital, it held that the appeal filed by Bimenyimana Jean Paul is unfounded and it held that the verdict of the case RP 0046/2018/TGI/MUS rendered by the Intermediate Court of Musanze on 07/11/2018 is sustained.
Bimenyimana Jean Paul again appealed the above verdict before the Court of Appeal submitting that he is now pleading guilty for the offence of raping Nyirakamana Séraphine due to drunkenness, and he sought forgiveness.
The hearing was conducted in public on 06/04/2022, Bimenyimana Jean Paul was assisted by Counsel Nyirabera Josephine while the Prosecution was represented by Rudatinya Nyangezi Gaspard, National Prosecutor. II. ANALYSIS OF LEGAL ISSUE i. Whether the guilty plea of Bimenyimana Jean Paul that is formulated for the first time before the Court of Appeal can be for him a ground for penalty reduction
Bimenyimana Jean Paul submits that he has appealed with a purpose of pleading guilty and seeking forgiveness for the offence of attempting to rape Nyirakabanza Seraphine due to
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drunkenness, at all levels, he denied it because he was advised by his fellow inmates to do so, later he understood the gravity of offence and that is why he seeks forgiveness from the Court, the Prosecution and the offended victim because he had enough time to reflect on the gravity of the offence and he has repented from it and he is seeking for penalty reduction since he is now pleading guilty and he apologizes for it.
Counsel Nyirabera Josephine who assists Bimenyimana Jean Paul submits that her client appealed with a purpose of pleading guilty to the offence and seeking forgiveness, she states that it is the drunkenness that made him to assault Nyirakabanza Seraphine and he seeks forgiveness from her and the whole Rwandan community since he has already learnt and repented from the offence. The Counsel has also requested the Court to consider the age of Bimenyimana Jean Paul and realise that he can be rehabilitated so that he does not deserve the penalty of life imprisonment.
Counsel Nyirabera Josephine went on and requested the Court to consider the provisions of articles 49,58, 59 and 60 of the Law determining offences and penalties in general and requested the Court to hold that the guilty plea of Bimenyimana Jean Paul constitutes a mitigating circumstance and apply to him the penalty reduction on basis of the reference judgment RPAA 0124/09/CS rendered by the Supreme Court wherein the parties were the Prosecution v. Twizeyimana Isaïe as well as on the article 35 of the Criminal Procedure which provides that the penalties imposed to him can be reduced down to the half as he pleads guilty for the offence.
She also argued that while determining an appropriate penalty for the accused, the Court should consider his age and
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find that some of the purposes of punishment include educating and correcting, Bimenyimana Jean Paul committed the offence when he was 19 years old, sentencing him to life imprisonment would not be appropriate, rather he should alternatively be sentenced to penalty of community service instead of being a burden to the country while in jail. She also submitted that though the accused committed the offence with extreme cruelty, the High Court has simply looked at the gravity of the offence and sentenced him to life imprisonment with no consideration to his age and she requested that such should be rectified. The Counsel has as well stated that all the case-laws that the Prosecution put forth for reference, do not indicate that in some circumstances the accused is not entitled to plead guilty.
The Prosecutor argued that as upheld in paragraphs 5 and 8 of the appealed judgment, Bimenyimana Jean Paul pleaded by denying the offence of sexual torture against Nyirakabanza Séraphine, he only pleaded guilty for the offence of assault and battery against the victim, but he always denied the offence of piercing a stake into her sexual organs. The Prosecutor stated that the Court found his grounds of appeal unfounded because there are elements of evidence evidence that incriminated him for the offence of sexual torture and included the testimony of Nyirakabanza Séraphine who explained how the accused proposed her for sexual intercourse and when she declined it, he beat her and pierced a stake into her genitals. The victim’s testimony is corroborated by the statements of a certain witness and medical report, the High Court, Musanze Chamber underscored those elements under paragraphs 9 and 10 of the appealed judgment.
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He further submitted that Bimenyimana Jean Paul does not challenge the appealed judgment since the Court examined his request (to declare him innocent on the charge of sexual torture) for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment as the Court found his appeal unfounded because there are incriminating elements of evidence against him, it expounded (see paragraph 11 of the appealed judgment) that he does not deserves the penalty reduction because he cruelly committed the offence against Nyirakabanza Séraphine of which he was convicted.
The Prosecutor argues that the Court’s decision of not reducing the penalty imposed to Bimenyimana Jean Paul is justified by the extreme cruelty that characterised his offence and aligns with the position set in the judgment RPAA 0021/14/SC rendered by the Supreme Court on 13 October 2017 where the Court held that an offence committed with extreme cruelty is a cause of not reducing the penalty and the Court upheld that “Though Ntabanganyimana pleads guilty, he does not deserve the penalty reduction due the extreme cruelty with which he committed the charged offence because the judge is not obliged to reduce the penalty for defendant who pleads guilty in case he/she notes that it was committed with extreme cruelty”.
The Prosecutor also sustains that the article 35 of the Criminal Procedure 2013 stated by the lawyer of Bimenyimana Jean Paul and which is no longer into force ( the procedure law is of immediate effect) and there is the new law relating to the criminal procedure of 2019, its article 65 ( replacing article 35 of the former law) provides for the criminal proceedings against a person caught red-handed, its paragraph 5 provides for the procedure for prosecuting and trying an accused, the judge seized
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may reduce specified penalties and this is done at the first instance, due to the fact that Bimenyimana Jean Paul denies the charges in the Intermediate Court and the High Court, these courts could not reduce the penalties in accordance with the foregoing article 65.
The Prosecutor states that laws evolve, that the judgments cited by the lawyer of Bimenyimana Jean Paul which upheld that there is no fixed time limit for an accused to plead guilty and later the High Court rendered the judgment n0 RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA of 07/05/2021 with the Prosecution v. Munyagishari Bernard and held that the appeal ground of Munyagishari Bernard to plead guilty at the appellate level for an offence he denied from the first instance, should not be admitted because, the fact that he did not exercise his right of pleading guilty in the outset of the proceedings, indicates that he opted for declining the procedure of pleading guilty, it held that it should not hear his appeal for the guilty plea lodged at the first time at the appellate level because the Court of Appeal examines the defects of law or facts indicated by the appellant.
The Prosecutor argues that for a guilty plea to serve as a mitigating circumstance, the article 591 of the Law n0 68/2018 of
1 The judge may reduce penalties, especially when: 10 the accused, before the commencement of prosecution, pleads guilty and sincerely seek forgiveness from the victim and the Rwandan society and expresses remorse and repairs the damage caused as much as would be expected from him/her; 20 the accused turns himself/herself into competent judicial authority before or during the pre-trial proceedings; 30 at the outset of the trial in the first instance, the accused pleads guilty by a sincere confession;
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30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general provides that a guilty plea can only be a mitigating circumstance if it is formulated before the commencement of the prosecution or at the outset of the trial in the first instance. Therefore, the fact that Bimenyimana Jean Paul did not plead guilty in the provided time limit and thus secure a mitigating circumstance for his offence, means that he deprived himself such right, more so that he does not provide the special reason for failure to do se, because stating that his fellow inmates advised him not to plead guilty is unfounded since they do not understand his right and his benefits better than him, he requests the Court of Appeal to uphold that it lacks the jurisdiction to hear for the first time the case related to confession and guilty plea.
He further submits that there are other cases rendered by the Supreme Court that held that if the accused pleads guilty, their penalties cannot be reduced due the extreme cruelty with which they committed the offences such as the case RPA 0282/08/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 12/03/2010 whereby the Court held that reducing or not reducing a penalty is not a matter of law, the seized judge may or may not reduce a penalty depending on the gravity of the committed offence. The Prosecutor has also cited the case RPAA 0021/2014/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on13/10/2014 whereby the Court held that though Ntabanganyimana pleads guilty, he does not deserve the penalty reduction due to the extreme cruelty with which he has committed the offence. The same stance was held in the case RPA 0282/08/CS rendered by the Supreme Court on 12/03/2010 where the Court held that reducing or not reducing a penalty for the accused who pleaded guilty is not binding to the judge even if the accused pleads guilty by a sincere confession, in case the judge
40 the offence has minor consequences.
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deems the penalty reduction inappropriate, he/she cannot to reduce the penalty2; in consideration of the cruelty with which Bimenyimana Jean Paul committed the offence for which he is accused, no one can state that he deserves the penalty reduction as he pierced a stake in the sex at a depth of 32 cm.
With regard to the age of Bimenyimana Jean Paul indicated by his lawyer as mitigating circumstance for penalty reduction, the |Prosecutor maintains that the accused was adult and other people who committed offences at the age of majority, got sentenced. Concerning the fact that he can be sentenced to the community service, the Prosecutor submitted that Musanze correctional facility has a farmland of six hectares, in case Bimenyimana Jean Paul is interested, he can still express his request for farming and breeding cows as well as serve the Community while bein in jail. DETERMINATION OF THE COURT
Article 114 of the Law n0 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 as modified by the Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 determining offences and penalties in general, provides that « any person who causes damage to genital organs of another person commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to a term of life imprisonment ».
Article 52, paragraph one of the Law n0 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts provides that “the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear at the first level of appeal cases tried at first instance by the High Court, the
2 Rwanda Law Reports, nº8, p.15
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Commercial High Court and the Military High Court » while paragraph two of the same article provides that « The Court of Appeal has also jurisdiction to try at the second level of appeal cases tried by the High Court, the Commercial High Court and the Military High Court, if such cases:-----, whereas paragraph six of the very article stipulates that « Cases tried by the Court of Appeal are not appealable».
Article 183, paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Law n0 027/2019 of 19/09/2019 relating to the criminal procedure provides that « an appeal is filed in the form of a written submission instituting a claim indicating the following: 5° list of defaults of the judgement for which rectification is required and other issues to be considered; 6° explanations for each default or issue showing the mistakes made and how they should be rectified in accordance with laws, evidence and court recommendations, »
Article 59 of the Law n0 68/ 2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general as modified by the Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 provides that “the judge may reduce penalties, especially when : 1º the accused, before the commencement of prosecution, pleads guilty and sincerely seek forgiveness from the victim and the Rwandan society and expresses remorse and repairs the damage caused as much as would be expected from him/her; 2º the accused turns himself/herself in to competent judicial authority before or during the pre-trial proceedings; 3º at the outset of the trial in the first instance, the accused pleads guilty by a sincere confession; 4º the offence has minor consequences ».
For the appealed case RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS, the High Court, Musanze Chamber finds that (see paragraph 10) with reference to the testimony of Nyirakabanza Séraphine and the
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medical report issued by Dr. Nkinzingabo Rusangiza Evariste on 28/09/2018, indicating that Nyirakabanza Séraphine arrived at the Hospital walking painfully with blood all over her clothes and with a bulge on her forefront, there was a stake pierced in 32cm deep into her sex to an extend that it required to inject her with a general anaesthesia to remove it from her body and on basis of the article 49 of the Law n0 69/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general, shall not reduce his penalty and the appealed judgment is sustained.
With regard to whether a guilty plea that Bimenyimana Jean Paul formulated for the first time before the Court of Appeal can be for him a mitigating circumstance that might lead to the penalty reduction, with reference to the case RPA/GEN 00004/2019/CA rendered on 7/05/2021 with the Prosecution v.Munyagishari Bernard, the case RPAA 00013/2020/CA with the Prosecution v. Habiyakare Olivier and the case RPA 00006/2021/CA with the Prosecution v. Rusesabagina Paul, Nsabimana Callixte alias Sankara and others, all three rendered by this Court and many more cases, the Court of Appeal held that a guilty plea that can favour the accused is a guilty plea that is at least formulated before the closing of the hearing at the first instance. For all the above mentioned cases, the Court always held that an accused who finally pleads guilty at the appeal level for an offence he/she has been denying all along the first instance secures no favour and such guilty plea is not admissible since the accused deprived himself of such right and that means that he/she declined the right of pleading guilty. The Court of Appeal finds that it cannot hear his guilty plea at the appeal level since it examines the mistakes (which are in the appealed judgment) pointed out by the appellant and which are based on the issues of law and facts. This is in line with the provision of paragraph one
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of the above mentioned article 52 of the Law n0 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 determining the jurisdiction of courts and article 183, paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Law n0 027/2019 of 19/09/2019 relating to the criminal procedure, those articles clarify that the Court of Appeal examines the mistakes indicated in the judgment, and the issues of pleading guilty and seeking forgiveness that Bimenyimana Jean Paul is bringing forth, are not mistakes from the appealed judgment, he intends to plead them for the first time, they are not under the jurisdiction of this Court.
With regard to the statements of Bimenyimana Jean Paul and his lawyer that he deserves a penalty reduction on basis of the position set by the Supreme Court which held that an accused has no time limit to retract and plead guilty for the charges, they cite the case RPAA 0124/09/SC rendered by the Supreme Court on 01/06/2012 between the Prosecution and Twizeyimana Isaïe, whereby the Court held that the fact that Twezeyimana Isaïe indicated that he rethought and sincerely pleaded guilty for the charges, his guilty plea can be for him a mitigating circumstance for penalty reduction even if he complicated the court hearings by denying the charge. The Court of Appeal finds that such position has been set and applied to many other judgments that include the case n0 RPA 0282/08/2008 rendered by the Supreme Court on 12/03/2010 with the Prosecution v. Nyirangondo Virginie, whereby the Court held that her late guilty plea is not itself a ground for not granting to her the penalty reduction because there is no time limit for an accused to plead guilty for the charges, rather not granting the penalty reduction may be justified by the extreme cruelty with which the offence has been committed; the same applied to the case RPA 0246/09/CS rendered on 14/12/2012 with the Prosecution v. Mukankusi
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Victoire3 and other cases. However, the Court finds that following that position, the Law n0 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general modified by the Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 determining offences and penalties in general provides in the article 59, 3o that a guilty plea that can be considered as mitigating circumstance and therefore serve for penalty reduction is a guilty plea that is submitted at the outset of the trial in the first instance when the accused pleads guilty by a sincere confession.
The Court therefore finds that the position set by the Supreme Court that the guilty plea for the first time at the appellate instance is not itself a ground for the penalty reduction for the convicted as there is no time limit for the accused to retract and plead guilty in case he/she pleads guilty by a sincere confession, such position was changed by the Law n0 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 as modified by the Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 determining offences and penalties in general which unequivocally provides that a guilty plea that can serve as mitigating circumstance is the guilty plea that is formulated at the outset of the trial. This is why the Court of Appeal which was conferred many of the duties of the Supreme Court before the establishment of the Court of Appeal, has currently ceased referring to that position set by the Supreme Court and applies the legal provision, because any position set by a court cannot contradict a law. It is therefore clear that the non-application of that position is not a fact of disregard, rather it is due to the fact that such position got changed by a law; in consideration of the jurisdiction of this Court, the latter finds that it lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case about a guilty plea that is formulated
3 Rwanda Law Reports, Vol II, 2013, n⁰ 17, April, 2013
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for the first time at the appeal level. Therefore, the request of Bimenyimana Jean Paul for penalty reduction on basis of his guilty plea he intends to submit for the first time at the appellate level is not admitted due the above provided reasons.
With regard to the fact that Bimenyimana Jean Paul should be granted the penalty reduction in consideration of his age by the time he committed the offence, the Court finds that, as indicated in the case file, Bimenyimana Jean Paul was born on 01/01/ 1999, and he committed the offence for which he is accused on 28/09/2018, when he was 19 years old, and this means that he was old enough for criminal prosecution4. The Court also finds that despite the existence of other cases rendered by this very Court5 whereby it held that a judge might consider reducing penalties on basis of the age of the accused, such as the fact that it is evident that the accused has freshly got out the age of minority or he/she has attained the age of majority provided under the law, those circumstances are not alone taken into account; in addition, the accused should plead guilty in the outset of the prosecution or trial by a sincere confession, such is not the case for Bimenyimana Jean Paul since he categorically kept denying the offence of damaging the victim’s genital organ, a crime he committed with an extreme cruelty. It is therefore clear that the simple fact that he committed the offence while he was still young and freshly got out the minority, alone might not be enough for his penalty reduction. Therefore, the request of
4 See sub-paragraph 8 of article 2 of the Law n0 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 as modified by the Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 determining offences and penalties in general, which provides about …. A child: a person under the age of 18 5 See case RPAA 00013/2020/CA rendered by the Court of Appeal on the 31/12/2021 with the Prosecution v. Habiyakare Olivier.
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Counsel Nyirabera Josephine, seeking for penalty reduction for her client in consideration of the fact that he committed the offence at a younger age, has no justification.
With regard to the statements of the counsel of Bimenyimana Jean Paul seeking the sentence to community service as alternative to life imprisonment, arguing that an appropriate punishment must achieve a correctional purpose; the Court of Appeal finds that the requested sentence is provided under article 35 of the Law n0 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 as modified by the Law n0 69/2019 of 08/11/2019 determining offences and penalties in general, whereby paragraph 4 of the above article provides that a Presidential Order shall determine the modalities for the execution of the penalty of community service; therefore, as such Presidential order has not yet been enacted, the Court has no basis to decide such penalty, because there are no modalities of its execution.
Considering all the above provided explanations, the Court of Appeal finds that nothing changes on the judgment RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS rendered on 11/04/2019 by the High Court, Musanze Chamber, and held that a sentence to life imprisonment imposed to Bimenyimana Jean Paul, is sustained. III. DECISION OF THE COURT
Holds that the appeal filed by Bimenyimana Jean Paul has no justification;
Holds that the judgment RPA 00563/2018/HC/MUS rendered by the High Court, Musanze Chamber is sustained;
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Holds that the court fees are borne to the Public Treasury as Bimenyimana Jean Paul is already detained.
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