Rwanda National Police is holding two drivers in connection with attempting to bribe traffic officers, a crime that the force continuously warns and campaigns against. The suspects identified as Uwizeyimana Innocent and Laurent Ndoli, are currently held at Remera Police Station as investigations continue. They were arrested on January 17 in two separate incidents when they attempted to offer money to officers after they were found driving without valid documents. Uwizeyimana who was driving a Toyota Corolla RAB 981N, was stopped by an officer in Kacyiru, but he sped off instead but was stopped along the same axis where he tried to bribe the officer with Rwf7,000. Traffic and Road Safety Department Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police, Emmanuel Kabanda, strongly warned the public against attempts to bribe Police officers for any service, reminding the public that officers are charged with ensuring high levels of discipline. “We sensitize the public against corruption and bribery. This is a country that has a zero-stance on such vices and we must fight against it whenever it occurs,” CIP Kabanda said. “Ways of getting a driver’s licence were made easier and issuing a licence was reduced to within 14 days; Police doors are open to any resident who has an issue they want to discuss, therefore, bribery is not a solution because it is a punishable offence,” he said. Rwanda National Police maintains a zero-stance to corruption and has over the years arrested those who attempt to commit the felony, majority drivers and drug traffickers. Over 75 drivers were arrested in the last three months of 2014 for attempting to bribe officers after they were caught in varied traffic related offences.
