Rwanda National Police

Police in Kamonyi District is holding a commercial motorcyclist for allegedly attempting to bribe Police officers, who found him riding without a driver’s license.

Germain Hategekimana was on February 18 stopped by a traffic police officer in Runda Sector and asked him to produce his license.

However, it is alleged that Hategekimana, who didn’t have the permit, opted to bribe the officer – a move that landed him in cuffs.

According to the Southern Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, Hategekimana was immediately arrested and is currently held at Runda Police station as police finalizes his dossier.

Although bribes are given out or received in secrecy, CIP Kayigi said, the public need to know that RNP has laid stringent measures against corruption and fighting it is a collective responsibility as well.

"We have said this time and again… corruption or bribery is unacceptable; it’s treated as a high impact crime and given due attention to fight it at all levels,” CIP Kayigi said.

He commended the officers that arrested Hategekimana saying that; “Police officers are well trained and expected to exhibit high level of professionalism. Bribery or corruption is intolerable both in Rwanda National Police and in the country in general. Those who seek services should go through the right channels and if you are caught in malpractices it will be an added crime if you try to offer bribes.”

Article 641 of the Penal Code stipulates that any person who directly or indirectly offers a gift in order to get an illegal service or refrain from carrying out any usual duties shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of five to seven years and a fine and a fine of twice or up to ten times the value of what they had offered in bribes.