(Kigali) – Miss Rwanda Divine Muheto is seeking leniency from the court as she faces potential jail time for traffic offenses, including drink driving and causing an accident.
Muheto appeared in court on Thursday, October 31, to face charges stemming from a drink-driving incident that resulted in damage to public property. The Kicukiro Primary Court is expected to decide on November 6 whether she will serve a jail term or pay a fine as her defense team has requested.
The 20 year old beauty queen admitted to the charges of drink driving and causing an accident but denied allegations of fleeing the scene. The prosecution is seeking a sentence of 20 months, which includes six months for drink driving, two months for driving without a permit, and one year for leaving the scene after the accident.
According to the prosecution, on the early morning of October 24, Muheto was driving home from a bar in Kicukiro District when she lost control of her vehicle. She collided with a streetlight pole and then struck a palm tree. Police conducted an alcohol test on Muheto after the incident, revealing a blood alcohol level significantly above the legal limit.
The prosecution highlighted her lack of a driving permit, raising concerns about her ability to operate a vehicle and her understanding of traffic regulations. They also claimed that she attempted to flee from police after the accident.
During the court proceedings, Muheto’s defense team acknowledged her responsibility for the charges of drink driving and damaging public property but contended that she did not flee the scene. They stated that she left for her own safety as a crowd began to gather at the accident site late at night. They argued that her celebrity status made her vulnerable in such situations.
Muheto expressed remorse for her actions and cited her ongoing projects aimed at combating child stunting in Rwanda. Her lawyers urged the court to consider her status as Miss Rwanda and her academic commitments at the African Leadership University, asking for leniency instead of imprisonment.
The court proceedings have garnered significant attention, given Muheto’s public profile. She was crowned Miss Rwanda in 2022 but has maintained her title since the pageant was suspended following several scandals. This incident is not her first brush with traffic violations; in September 2023, she was involved in a separate accident where her vehicle crashed into a building.
| Charges Against Miss Rwanda | Possible Sentences |
|---|---|
| Drink-driving | 6 months |
| Driving without a permit | 2 months |
| Fleeing after causing an accident | 1 year |
| Total Potential Sentence | 20 months |
