Under investigation: FERWAFA Executive Member in charge of Competitions Eric Ruhamiriza
Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) is detaining two Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) officials over alleged bribery scandal involving a referee.
According to officials at RIB, FERWAFA General Secretary Francois Regis Uwayezu and Competitions Commissioner Eric Ruhumiriza were arrested yesterday, September 12, pending investigations.
Both officials (Uwayezu and Ruhamiriza) are being quizzed by RIB officials.
RIB spokesperson Modeste Mbabazi confirmed to KT press that “RIB is conducting investigation regarding CAF bribe allegations by the Ferwafa officials.”
The allegation spread across media outlets when Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referee Jackson Pavaza claimed to have been offered a bribe by both Ferwafa officials with intentions to manipulate the 2019 AFCON Qualifier between Rwanda and Cote d’Ivoire.
Pavaza who was the Centre referee assisted by three other Namibian officials, David Shaanika, Shoovaleka Nehemia and Matheus Kanyanga, accused Ferwafa officials to bribe him with money that was packed in brown envelope.
Reporting the case to CAF, Pavaza said that “The money was in a brown envelope. I did not try to count it or see how much it was. I just told them that I do not accept any gifts from anyone, as per CAF regulations. I rejected it and reported the matter to CAF,” Pavaza said.
Since the allegations, Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has denied the allegations made by the CAF Referee, calling it fabricated lies.
