Rwanda National Police (RNP) has increased operations targeting mainly moto-taxi operators, who forge or conceal plate numbers to prevent penalties and legal actions related to road traffic violations and other criminal acts.
More than 2,000 motorcycles have been impounded in Kigali alone, including 260, which had forged, altered or concealed plate numbers.
The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, cautioned moto-taxi operators against such high risk violations and criminal practices.
“Out of over 2,000 motorcycles impounded, 260 had forged, concealed and altered number plates; 740 with no insurance, transport authorization and riders had no driver’s license; 596 motorcycles were involved in accidents; 54 were caught loaded with large luggage blocking traffic flow; 196 had heavy traffic fines incurred over time,” ACP Rutikanga said.
Other 154 motorcycles, he added, are suspected to have been stolen.
“These 154 motorcycles were not found in the RRA database. We have others with chassis numbers not corresponding with their number plates, meaning that they forged number plates. Some of the individuals connected to these forgeries and theft were arrested and handed over to RIB,” the spokesperson said.
There are also motorcyclists, who scratch, bend or remove a letter or a digit so as not to be detected by speed enforcement cameras and traffic Police officers.
“We are facing challenges where forged or altered number plates correspond with genuine ones on other motorcycles, and in case of any violations, penalties go to the wrong people.”
“Similarly, we have received cases where people give valuables to motorcyclists to take them somewhere but end up stealing them and it becomes a challenge to trace these thieves with of forged plates.”
He explained the same motorcycles are used by thieves to snatch valuables from their passengers and people at night, and to transport thieves or stolen items.
“We understand that some of the suspects are not the rightful owners of the impounded motos. We urge rightful owners to follow the procedure to take their motorcycles and to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, give names of their wanted employees.”
He advised the public not to use motorcycles with blur or suspicious number plates, and instead report them.
ACP Rutikanga further commended moto-taxi operators and members of the public, who have continued to work with the Police to arrest such errant motorcyclists.
He also urged those, whose motorcycles were impounded due to uncleared heavy traffic penalties, to go to the traffic department to help them pay in installments.
Source: Rwanda Police