Police is holding 30 people for allegedly attempting to bribe officers. The suspects, who were paraded yesterday at Police headquarters in Kacyiru, were arrested separately in different parts of the country last week. They include drivers who had been caught in various traffic-related offences on highways, aspiring drivers who tried to bribe supervising officers after failing driving tests, smugglers and those who were trying to secure release of their arrested relatives or friends. One of the suspects, Alex Munyengabo, while speaking to the media, acknowledged having offered a bribe of Rwf30,000 after he was intercepted in Munini Sector of Nyaruguru District, apparently smuggling clothes, but pleaded for leniency. “If only I can turn the clock back; I have learnt a lesson, I hope other people will learn from us never to attempt such,” Munyengabo said. Another suspect, identified only as Imanishimwe said, through her sister, the only woman in the group, they offered a bribe of Rwf150, 000 to acquire a driver’s lincense after failing the tests. Bribes ranged between Rwf50, 000 and Rwf200,000 for those who had failed driver’s license tests while bribes offered by those caught in traffic-related offences on roads ranged between Rwf2,000 and Rwf5,000, according to Police. At least 200 people, majority drivers, were arrested over similar offences last year. RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege, said the force has set the bar high in dealing with corruption and bribery in particular considering its “high impact.” “This is a collective campaign against those giving and receiving bribes; it’s a war that we call on all Rwandans to be part of and report anyone they witness giving or receiving a bribe because such malpractices affect service delivery and development, which we can’t allow,” ACP Badege warned. “Imagine a person caught in a crime, and a relative, who attempts to offer a bribe to secure his or her release, is also arrested. Those are years in prison if convicted, and this affects their individual or family development”. “No one is above the law, regardless of who you are or what you do. Just call our police toll-free lines – 997 and 3511 – whenever you see anyone giving or receiving a bribe, be it a police officer or anyone person. Our stance is ‘zero tolerance’ to corruption not only in RNP but in Rwanda in general,” he noted. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
