{Rwanda National Police (RNP) has reaffirmed its strong stance against corruption and bribery, with the arrest of other two men suspected of attempting to offer bribes in order to illegally acquire services from police officers. }
The incidents which happened on May 31 included suspect, Ildephonse Munyaneza, 35, a resident of Nyarugenge District, who tried to lure an officer with Rwf15,000 in order to release an offender who had been arrested.
The other case involved Isaiah Muhawinama, 25, a resident of Nyamata Sector, Bugesera District, who offered Rwf10,000 to an officer in order to illegally release a vehicle that had been impounded due to violation of traffic rules.
Police Spokesperson for Eastern Province, Inspector of Police Emmanuel Kayigi, said that people should not indulge in bribery because it attracts unwanted consequences, yet there are official channels through which one can attain all services they need.
“RNP has put in place mechanisms to fight bribery – and the officers are well trained and professional to enforce the law rather than indulge in this illegal act. Bribery and corruption in general are zero tolerance in RNP and any officer caught in the act faces heavy disciplinary sanctions ” he said.
“If tolerated, such an illegal act is a primary obstacle to development. It is therefore important that residents in Rwanda do their part in fighting bribery. Any person who has either suspicion or proof that bribery or corruption practices are taking place in any area society, can report the matter in time on toll free number 997.”
In the Penal code, bribery is defined under article 633, section D, as giving or agreeing to give a gift in cash or any other illegal benefit, for the provision of a service or an act in unlawful way, or to reward the provider of the service or act rendered by a recipient or an intermediary.
It is punished under article 64 with a term of imprisonment of five to seven years and a fine twice or ten times the value of the illegal benefit provided.
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