Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on Tuesday, October 10 arrested SP Dalanoe Nyagatare an officer of Rwanda Correction Services over intentional assault or battery.
Thierry Murangira, the spokesperson for RIB, told The New Times that the suspect was apprehended after an incident occurred in the Kanombe sector, during which he allegedly slapped a 31-year-old man. The suspect claimed the man was obstructing his path while many cars were on the road.
Furthermore, Murangira pointed out that RIB requests people to act gently and refrain from causing harm to others.
The suspect is currently detained at the Remera RIB station, pending further investigation before the case is forwarded to the prosecution.
Upon conviction, the suspect is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Rwf 500,000 and not more than Rwf 1,000,000.
The arrest was made following the circulation of footage on social media that allegedly showed the suspect returning to his car. The person who shared the video captioned it, claiming that the suspect had stopped the car and slapped a person who was pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with crates, asserting that the person was blocking him.
The video showing the officer's actions has sparked a range of reactions on social media, with many people expressing their dismay about the actions of the officer and many called for his prosecution.