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Police in Nyamasheke District, on Friday, arrested three people attempting to give a bribe of Rwf80, 000.
The suspects; Jacques Mbarushimana, Fabien Bizimana, 37, and Zabron Habiyakare were arrested in Busheki Sector, Buvungira Cell trying to bribe a park ranger in Nyungwe Forest and National Park so as to allow them conduct illegal mining activities in the gazetted park.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the police spokesperson for the Western region, said the suspects were arrested after the park ranger called the Police.
“They tried to negotiate with him, promising to give him some money if he let them carry-on with their illegal mining activities in Nyungwe Park but also to be their informer in case of any security operations in the area where they are mining so as not to be caught," CIP Karekezi said.
“The guard decided to report the matter to the Police and the trio was arrested red-handed giving him the bribe of Rwf80,000."
The spokesperson thanked the guard for staying true to his duties; to protect the forest as well as fighting corruption, illegal mining and environmental crimes.
He further warned against any illegal acts in the forest, including cutting trees and poaching activities.
Law N° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption in article 4, stipulates any person who gives, solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years with a fine of three (3) to five (5) times the value of the given or solicited bribe.
