Eduard Murangwa
Lawyer Eduard Murangwa has requested the Supreme Court to consider reviewing thoroughly the new property tax law which he alleged, is against the constitution.
Appearing in Supreme Court on Friday, Murangwa told the Supreme Court that he was concerned with the way the property tax law that was reviewed in 2018 negatively affects the citizen.
He is much concerned with provisions included in article 16,17,19 and 20 that he said, are contrary to the Article 34 of the constitution.
He quoted the article according to which “Everyone has the right to private property, whether individually or collectively owned.”
The article further says that “Private property, whether owned individually or collectively, is inviolable.The right to property shall not be encroached.”
However, he said the articles provide instances where a property owner would lose their properties, including: when they do not agree with the provisions on the land title.
“The articles rather allow the private property to be violated which is against our constitution,” Murangwa said.
Murangwa is however, not the first person to challenge this law. Through the School of Law represented by the director Dr. Denis Bikesha, the University of Rwanda on Ocober 10, 2019 also wrote to the Supreme Court asking to consider revising the law.
After hearing both submissions, the Supreme Court in a seating of six justices scheduled the hearing on November 1, 2019.
In the meantime, the Supreme Court welcomed more submissions and ideas on this matter.
