Rwanda Police: TikTok Road Stunt Arrests 5 for Dangerous Stunts

• Rwanda National Police arrested five individuals for staging dangerous road stunts to create social media content, part of a trend known as "gutwika."
• Specific incidents include a TikTok creator named "Coppergang" lying on a road while vehicles drove over him, and "Shoferi Karatika" jumping from a moving truck.
• Police spokesperson SSP Emmanuel Kayigi condemned the acts, warning creators against using public roads for entertainment and urging beneficial content creation.
• The suspects remain in custody as police investigate potential violations of traffic regulations and public safety laws.
• These arrests are part of the RNP's ongoing efforts to curb reckless behavior and promote responsible road use in Rwanda.

This signals active enforcement by the Rwanda National Police against violations of traffic regulations and public safety laws in the context of online challenges, underscoring a firm stance against content creation that endangers public welfare.

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) has taken decisive action, arresting five individuals accused of orchestrating perilous stunts on public roads. These arrests, which saw the suspects presented by police last Friday, are directly linked to a burgeoning trend of high-risk online challenges, locally referred to as “gutwika,” designed to generate social media content. Authorities have underscored the severe dangers posed by these activities, emphasizing that such stunts not only jeopardize the creators themselves but also place motorists, their passengers, and innocent pedestrians at significant risk.

Among those apprehended is a TikTok creator known as “Coppergang,” hailing from Rusizi District. He was reportedly filmed in multiple clips lying prostrate on a public thoroughfare, allowing cars and motorcycles to drive over his stomach and legs. Following his detention, tests conducted by the police revealed the presence of cannabis in his system. Another suspect, identified as “Shoferi Karatika,” was captured on video driving a truck, then dramatically leaping from the moving vehicle, running alongside it, and subsequently climbing back inside while it was still in motion. Further incidents cited by the police include a motorcycle rider transporting four individuals, two of whom were engaged in kissing while the vehicle was in transit. The remaining two suspects were also implicated in various road stunts that police assert could easily precipitate accidents and endanger other road users.

SSP Emmanuel Kayigi, the spokesperson for the Traffic and Road Safety department, issued a strong condemnation of these reckless behaviors. He explicitly warned content creators against misusing public roads as stages for entertainment, highlighting the inherent dangers. Kayigi specifically referenced the “Coppergang” case, reiterating that the individual filmed lying down with vehicles driving over him was located in Rusizi District and had tested positive for drugs. The police spokesperson also noted that these five individuals are not isolated cases, pointing to a broader pattern of dangerous stunts on social media lacking clear safety protocols. He mentioned other concerning trends, such as individuals lifting vehicles or groups of young men leaping from rooftops and high-rise buildings.

In response to these alarming trends, the Rwanda National Police has urged social media users to shift their focus towards producing content that genuinely educates and benefits the public. This call emphasizes a departure from seeking attention through hazardous acts that could easily be imitated by others, potentially leading to further incidents. Kayigi articulated this directive by stating that social media users should emulate informed citizens by creating content that educates others and ultimately benefits Rwandans, promoting a culture of responsible online engagement.

The five suspects currently remain in police custody as investigations proceed into potential violations. The focus of these inquiries includes breaches of established traffic regulations and broader public safety laws. These arrests are not isolated incidents but represent a concerted part of the Rwanda National Police's ongoing, proactive efforts to curb reckless behavior on public roads. The overarching objective is to foster and promote responsible road use across the nation, ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.

This signals active enforcement by the Rwanda National Police against violations of traffic regulations and public safety laws in the context of online challenges, underscoring a firm stance against content creation that endangers public welfare. The case highlights the heightened legal risks for content creators or marketing agencies operating in Rwanda, particularly those involved in promoting social media content that features dangerous public stunts, as authorities demonstrate a clear intent to enforce existing statutes.

Lawyers should advise clients, particularly content creators or marketing agencies operating in Rwanda, on the heightened legal risks and potential liabilities for creating or promoting social media content that involves dangerous public stunts. This case signals active enforcement by the Rwanda National Police against violations of traffic regulations and public safety laws in the context of online challenges.

Source: Original reporting via news reports