James Musoni, alias, Rajabu until last Saturday was the second most powerful high- ranking official in President Paul Kagame’s government.
But in a cabinet reshuffle announced on Saturday by the Prime Minister Dr Adouard Ngirente, Musoni had been kicked out as Minister of Infrastructure.
His woes began early this year when a veteran soldier Patrick Safari accused the minister of ripping apart his legal marriage by impregnating his wife Immaculate Kayitesi.
The couple has since divorced.
Whereas Musoni has never made any public statement in relation to the sex scandal, reports however, say after his sacking he might be prosecuted and thrown into jail.
Crystal Ventures
Musoni was always strategically positioned and acted as the de facto Chairman of Crystal Ventures.
Crystal Ventures is an investment company established in 1995 in Rwanda, initially under the name Tri-Star Investments Limited, before rebranding to our current name in 2009.
The company was founded to meet challenges of economic recovery and take advantage of growth opportunities in a virgin environment.
The founders were among the pioneers of Rwanda’s private sector and took on the task of jump-starting the heavily dilapidated private enterprise.
Having made a few good investments, the company earned decent returns that were reinvested to create what is now the biggest investment company in the country. The company’s motto – Create Wealth, Improve Lives – has spurred the growth of the business whose choice of investments are determined by the opportunity to make a significant impact on the socioeconomic landscape accompanied by the opportunity to venture into unexplored sectors with high returns in the developing economy.
Literally, Crystal Ventures oversees almost all the business ventures –be it private investment in Rwanda.
According to a source, James Musoni who served multiple capacities said that his role in Crystal Ventures has been unofficial but most powerful.
“He represented Paul Kagame’s interests in making sure government contracts were taken by Crystal Ventures and off shore transfers,” said a source.
Against that backdrop, Musoni swindled billions of money using his position in Crystal Ventures.
“After a covert investigation commissioned by the President against Musoni, the findings were shocking,” a source added.
The source however, declined to divulge the amount embezzled by Musoni but estimated to be in billions.
No official in Rwandan government was willing to comment when contacted for fear of harsh consequences.
Some of the companies run by Crystal Ventures include Inyange Industries, NPD Limited, Bourbon Coffee, ISCO Security, Real Contractors and many more.
Musoni while in government has been using his position to directly feed into these companies, influence the Minister of Finance to ensure smooth flow of cash in and out of these businesses.
A source added that the entire government budget is run by Crystal Ventures using regime cadres in strategic positions.
Therefore Musoni an affluent government official has been using his position and influence to amass wealth.
“Kagame was shocked to learn that Musoni is richer than he could imagine. Shockingly he couldn’t account for the money and more money was found missing in Crystal Ventures coffers,” a source divulged.
