Police are holding 17 drivers for allegedly attempting to bribe traffic officers. The suspects were arrested separately this week on various roads in the City of Kigali. The arrests coincided with the week dedicated to fighting corruption that began on November 29. The campaign aimed at strengthening efforts to weed out the vice and also sensitise the public about the dangers of corruption. The suspects were mostly special-hire drivers and a few car owners, who unsuccessfully endeavoured to bribe their way out of traffic offences. Some of the suspects who spoke to the press this week, expressed regret for their actions and asked for leniency. “I had two extra passengers and when I was stopped by an officer, I offered him a Rwf2, 000 note. He immediately arrested me,” Innocent Ntacobinwaye, 30, a cab driver, said. “I regret what I did and I promise never to do it again,” he said. Another traffic offender, Emmanuel Sindayiga, claimed that he did not know that offering a bribe was illegal. “It was the first time I was bribing a Police officer and did not know the consequences,” Sindayiga claimed. “I appeal to fellow drivers to adhere to traffic rules,” Sindayiga added. The fate of the 17 suspects will be determined by courts of law, according to Police Spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Celestin Twahirwa. “Offering bribes to police officers has more negative consequences on the culprit than the offense he may be trying to avoid,” Twahirwa said. “Any police officer found guilty of accepting a bribe will be punished accordingly,” he added. 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 their duties shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of between five and seven years or a fine of twice or up to ten times the value of what they had offered in bribes or both. CSP Twahirwa called upon citizens to reflect on the corruption fight and its contribution toward self-reliance. The campaign was officially launched last Saturday to engage citizens and civil servants in the debate on corruption. Rwanda remains one of the least corrupt countries in the world, a reputation that has earned the country great trust from both private businesses and development partners.
