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Two drivers identified as Thierry Mukeshimana and John Twizerimana were arrested on April 27, at the vehicle mechanical inspection centre in Remera, Gasabo District for allegedly attempting to bribe Police officers to clear his vehicle.
The spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, Senior Supt. Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi, said that two vehicle belonging to the suspects had been found with mechanical faults that required to first fix them before they are given the mechanical certificate.
“The automobiles had issues with their brake pedals, so owners were advised to first go and fix them and come back for final inspection and get their mechanical certificate, as a normal to any automobile found to be having some mechanical issues. However, they instead tried to seduce the officers with money to turn a blind and certify their vehicle, and they were immediately arrested,” SSP Ndushabandi said.
Mukeshineza was giving a bribe of Rwf20, 000 while Twizerimana was offering a bribe of Rwf15, 000, according to the traffic spokesperson.
The duo is currently detained at Remera station and their separate cases are being handled by Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB).
He noted that by trying to bribe officers, you are committing a crime but also exposing lives of road users at high risk.
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.
“These mechanical inspection services are meant to ensure the safety of every person in the vehicle but also every road user. If your vehicle brake pedals are faulty, the lives of occupants and others using the road are also at high risk of loss of lives,” SSP Ndushabandi said.
