Police in Northern Province are holding eight people suspected of bribing Traffic Police officers.

The motorists attempted to bribe Police officers during Friday night crackdown and were arrested at different spots, according to Chief Inspector of Police André Hakizimana, the Northern Province Police spokesperson.

The arrested include four foreigners from neighbouring countries; Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and DR Congo, and all were arrested in Gicumbi District.

The rest are Rwandans who were arrested from other districts.

Hakizimana said the move to fight corruption is a priority for the Police force, adding that they will keep the momentum until the vice is reduced to the minimum level possible.

He said the suspects were arrested during an organised crackdown, which came after several tip offs from some drivers, members of the public and police officers that corruption was rampant on the roads in the province.

"We are aware of drivers who bribe our police officers when they are caught in the wrong and we have put more efforts to fight this, we are working with our police supervisors to arrest those giving bribes,” Hakizimana said.

"Police are strict in the fight against corruption and any officer arrested over bribery is dismissed, while anybody involved in corruption is punished accordingly. We are upholding zero tolerance against any form of bribery,” he added.

Suspects apology

The Ugandan suspect admitted to his crime and asked for forgiveness.

"I accept the mistake of bribing policemen and I take full responsibility for the crime and seek forgiveness,” the suspect said.

Another suspect from Kenya apologised for having made a mistake to bribe a Police officer adding that it was a routine on other roads he plied.

"I gave some money to Police but I didn’t know it was a bribe because Police found no mistake with both my vehicle and myself since I had all the documents. I thought it was just a token but I learnt later that it was a mistake since I have been here for two days,” he said.

Police say they are working on the suspects’ cases and will soon be produced in court.

Once they are convicted, they will be sentenced to between five and seven years and pay fines of between twice and ten times of the money they attempted to pay as bribe, according to Article 641 of the Penal Code. editorial@newtimes.co.rw