The Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (RURA) has slapped a ban on the importation and distribution of Samsung’s latest smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Note 7, Chimp Corps report.
According to a statement released on Wednesday October 12th, RURA’s Acting Director General, Patrick Nyirishema noted that the ban was to ensure safety of the public and the phone users.
“The Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (RURA) informs the general public that importation and distribution of smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in Rwanda is banned,” Nyirishema said in the statement.
He further advised individuals who are already in possession of the phones to return them to where they purchased them.
“For safety reasons, consumers who may have individually bought them abroad are required to power them down and return them to where they were purchased,” the statement further reads.
The ban also comes weeks after the Rwandan national carrier; Rwandair banned use the smartphones by passengers while aboard any of their planes.
The smartphones, a few days after the official announcement and release reportedly started exploding while they are charging.
Reports indicate that the explosions have spoilt cars and set a house on fire, something that has been perceived as risky to people’s lives.