Rwanda National Police

Sometimes people are oblivious about the consequences of bribery and corruption. Therefore, they indulge in the habit while caring less about the likely impact it may have.

It is a disappointing fact that bribery runs so rampant in many parts of the world that it has become a mode of business and service delivery.

As a matter of fact, The World Bank estimates that about of US$1 trillion is offered in bribes every year.

Rwanda on the other hand has over and again been praised as a role model in the fight against corruption and Rwanda National Police is endeavoring that the country’s guard is not let down.

In the Penal code, article 633, section D, defines a bribe 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.

This crime is punished under article 641 with a term of imprisonment of more than five to seven years and a fine of twice or ten times the value of the illegal benefit provided.

Much as this is so, the nature of people indicates that some are not willing to let go of the habit, and have gone as far as trying to drag officers into this mess.

Fortunately, police officers have been professional and in most of the incidences, citizens who have tried to bribe officers for services or for illegal favors have found themselves in handcuffs without any warning.

Indeed, corruption is zero tolerance in Rwanda National Police and any officer caught in the act faces heavy disciplinary actions, including discharging them from the force.

Just recently on the morning of January 17, three suspects were arrested for attempting to bribe traffic officers, after being stopped for overloading.

The three individuals are all food transporters and are currently held at Mageragera Police Station and are due to appear in court tomorrow, Tuesday, January 20.

One of them identified as Emmanuel Munyenganizi, 27, was stopped on a road in Kanyinya Sector, Nyarugenge District, on his way from Gisenyi with a track overloaded with Irish potatoes. But instead of listening to why he was stopped, he allegedly tried to sneak Rwf7000 to a police officer, who immediately arrested him.

His counterparts, Jean Damascene Ntibaringanira 49, and Shadrak Murwaneza 30, also attempted to bribe officers with Rwf1,000 each while on their way from Gisenyi with tracks overloaded with Irish potatoes.

With the three included, those arrested while trying to bribe officers are now a total of eight since the beginning of 2015.

“Police cannot tolerate this crime of bribery and corruption – and as we have said now and then, this is a terrible crime that has nothing good to offer to Rwanda,” the Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police, CSP Celestin Twahirwa says.

“Police compels the public to be active in this fight against corruption and bribery by sharing information with police that will help in stamping out this vice wherever it might be. People should understand that taking a shortcut through bribing comes with regrettable consequences.”

He also reminded the general public that engaging in corrupt practices creates an unfavorable business environment by encouraging unfair advantage, as well as undermining the rights of the weak and poor in public service delivery.

Rwanda National Police continuously carries out campaigns against corruption and bribery, and through its Anti-Corruption Unit, the force endeavors to track down each and every reported case, while also taking debate throughout the country.

To this effect, 117 individuals, mostly motorists, were arrested in 2014 while trying to bribe police officers.

Well knowing that corruption is a primary obstacle to development, it is imperative that citizens stand up and fight it and prevent those who want to use it in undermining the rule of law, trust in public institutions and democratic principles.

Any person, who has either suspicion or proof that bribery or corruption practices are taking place in any area of Rwandan society, can report the matter in time on toll free number 997.