Miss Muheto Faces One Year and Eight Months in Prison

By The Inspirer.

On Thursday, the Kicukiro Primary Court held a hearing for Miss Rwanda 2022, Divine Muheto, where the prosecution requested multiple penalties for the charges she faces.

Sources indicate that the prosecution has asked for Miss Muheto to receive a six-month prison sentence and a fine of RWF 180,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol. For driving without a license, they have recommended an additional two months in prison and a fine of RWF 10,000. Furthermore, the prosecution requested a one-year prison sentence and a RWF 30,000 fine for attempting to flee the scene after causing an accident.

In total, the prosecution is seeking a sentence of one year and eight months in prison, along with fines totaling RWF 220,000, for the three charges against her.

Miss Muheto has been in custody for 11 days since her initial arrest and has stated that her time in detention has taught her a valuable lesson, vowing not to repeat her actions. “I have learned a major lesson from these 11 days in custody,” she said. “I sincerely apologize.”

Miss Muheto faces three charges, admitting to causing the accident but denying that she fled the scene. She acknowledges driving under the influence and operating a vehicle without a license.

According to the prosecution, on October 24, Muheto was out at Atelier Du Vin bar around midnight (12:00 a.m.) and drove herself home in a Kia Sportage while intoxicated. Reaching Nyakabanda Cell in Kicukiro, she lost control of the vehicle, hitting an electric pole and a tree, causing significant damage to the car.

In a state of panic, Muheto allegedly left the scene, only to return later to retrieve her phone, thinking no authorities were present. Upon her return, police were notified by bystanders, and she was subsequently detained. Initially, she denied being the driver involved in the accident but later admitted to it.

The prosecution revealed that her blood alcohol level was measured at 4.00, far exceeding the legal limit of 0.8.

Muheto explained that after the accident, a crowd gathered, calling her by name, and she feared for her safety and potential public embarrassment if photographed.