Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police arrested two men in Kayonza and Nyagatare Districts for allegedly attempting to bribe police officers.

According to the Police Spokesperson for Eastern Province, Inspector of Police Emmanuel Kayigi, one of the suspects, Izeze Ndamutsa was arrested trying to offer a bribe of Rwf2, 000 to an officer, who had caught him in traffic related offences.

“The suspect who hails from Cyabajwa cell, Kabarondo sector of Kayonza district was found driving without a license and in the process he attempted to bribe an officer. The officer immediately arrested him. He is currently detained at Kabarondo Police Station,” Kayigi said.

Another suspect., Gakuru Banyangiriki, a resident of Nyagatare District, Mukama Sector was arrested for allegedly attempting to lure a police officer into releasing his wife Rehema Ahishakiye with a bribe worth Rwf40, 000.

Ahishakiye had been arrested in connection with trafficking and selling illicit brew.

 “Their arrest should not come as a surprise because RNP officers are expected to be professional and disciplined as they endeavour to carry out their duties. ‘It is through such discipline that the public will continue to trust us with their safety and security,” said Kayigi

He called upon Rwandans to desist from corruption and bribery acts.

In the Penal code, bribery is defined under article 633, section D, as giving or agreeing to give a gift in cash or any other illegal benefit, for the provision of a service or an act in unlawful way, or to reward the provider of the service or act rendered by a recipient or an intermediary.

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 of twice or up to ten times the value of what they had offered in bribes.