Police are holding two drivers in connection with attempt to bribe Traffic Police officers.

The drivers were arrested for trying to offer money to avoid a ticketing punishment after breaching traffic laws.

The suspects, who were arrested at the weekend, are being held at Rwamagana Police Station as investigations continue.

One of the suspects offered an officer Rwf2,000 at Karitutu in Muhazi Sector, while the other, who was arrested in Munyiginya, attempted to bribe an officer with Rwf1,500 so as his lack of some documents could be overlooked, Police said.

Eastern regional Police spokesperson Emmanuel Kayigi cautioned drivers who still think they can bribe Police officers and get away with it.

"At Rwanda National Police, we have adopted a zero tolerance policy toward corruption, so its high time people understood that attempting to bribe a Police officer, is no wisdom,” Kayigi said.

"Police doors are open to any resident who has an issue they want to discuss; therefore, bribery is not a solution but a punishable offence.

"We have intensified the crack down on bribery because of increase in traffic accidents in the last couple of days. Reckless drivers think they can buy their way out when caught, but they are wrong. We remain committed and vigilant against traffic offences” he said.

Stumping out the offence

Rwanda National Police has since last year sustained efforts to stump out bribery in the Force, especially among Traffic Police officers, who are the most targeted by unscrupulous motorists.

Over 75 people, the majority of them drivers, were arrested in the last three months over attempts to compromise officers with bribes after they were caught in varied traffic-related offences.

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 to 10 times the value of what they had offered in bribes, or both.

Meanwhile, one of the suspects has pleaded guilty and requested for lenience while the other denied all the charges.

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