Rwanda National Police

Three individuals identified as Jacques Ayirwanda, 38, Eric Rwanyanga, 24, and Therese Ingabire, 24, were arrested on November 29 in Kayonza District as suspects in the attempted bribery of a police officer.

Investigations indicate  that the officer apprehended them lawfully when they tried to offer him cash when he intercepted them for transporting charcoal without an authorization normally issued by the District administration to indicate that no environment damage was done while harvesting the charcoal.

The track vehicle which was loaded with charcoal  was a Fuso type with registration number   RAC 90, and it was intercepted  in Nyagatovu cell of Mukarange sector at around 8 p.m.

The Eastern region Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP), Emmanuel Kayigi, explained  that when the charcoal owners failed to issue the license, they raised Rwf 20,000, as a bribe which they passed on to the officer, expecting him to give them a green light.

The officer immediately proceeded by arresting the trio who are currently detained at Mukarange Police Station as investigations continue.

The suspects, who confessed to the crime, begged to be pardoned and appealed to the residents to abstain from such illigal tendencies

IP Kayigi warned the area population including drivers and the business community to stand against such vices and report to relevant authorities whenever they suspect such activities to be happening.

“Fighting corruption tendencies should be everyone’s responsibility, not Police alone. Corruption affects economy and its consequences affect us all," he said.

He also appealed to the public to use right channels of the law instead of seeking for short cuts that may lead them into breaking the law.