The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Testing and Licencing Department, arrested one Emile Niyoyita, 31, with a falsified message indicating that he tested for Covid-19 and was negative.
He was arrested at Nyamirambo stadium, Nyarugenge District where he had gone for provisional driving test.
Negative Covid-19 test taken with in the last 72 hours is one of the requirements for registered candidates to do driving tests.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police CP) John Bosco Kabera said that Niyoyita did not take the Covid-19 test.
“Police officers, who were facilitating the driving tests told Niyoyita to first go for Covid-19 test after he told them that he had not done the test,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Niyoyita returned shortly after saying that he done the Covid-19 test but where Police officers checked the message they found it had been sent to him from another number registered in the names of one Adorathe Nyabyenda instead of Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), which sends messages for Covid-19 test results. Niyoyita was immediately taken into custody.”
Scores have so far been arrested at various driving test sites in different parts of the country, with altered Covid-19 test messages.
CP Kabera called upon the public to abide by all the rules governing the driving test process.
“It was clearly communicated that all candidates must first go for Covid-19 test within 72 hours prior to the driving test, and have to present negative results before doing any driving test.
Unfortunately, we continue to see people, who engage in such criminal practices which will not be tolerated. Police officers are vigilant and anyone who tries such… will be arrested to face the law,” CP Kabera warned.
Niyoyita was handed over to RIB at Rwezamenyo station for further legal process.
Article 276 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person, who in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations, commits an offence.
Any person who, with fraudulent intention, produces a false written document, causes to write false statements or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offence of forgery.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million or only one of these penalties.(End)