KIGALI | Police in Rwanda on Tuesday evening arrested beauty queen Divine Muheto over drink-driving and causing damage to public property.
Ms Muheto, who was crowned Miss Rwanda 2022, hit a streetlight before running over a palm tree in a boulevard island.
“Police informs the general public Miss Muheto was arrested after she was caught driving under excess influence of alcohol and driving without a permit, knocking and destroying public infrastructure and fleeing the scene of the accident,” Rwanda National Police posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
She might be called Divine but there was nothing divine about her actions as Ms Muheto fled from the scene in an attempt to evade arrest.
“It is not the first time she has done this. Her file has been submitted to the Prosecution,” police added.
On September 22, 2023, it was reported that Miss Muheto was involved in a similar incident in Kimironko sector, Gasabo district, according to KT Press.
The beauty queen sustained minor injuries after her prize car rammed into a building in the wee hours of the morning. She was admitted to La Croix du Sud hospital.
The Rwandan laws are strict on environment with littering or walking on the lush greens prohibited.
But it is their prized palm trees that are guarded too jealously for any reckless motorist to take a risk, with a fine of up to Rwf1 million (about Shs3.6m) for knocking down one mature palm tree in the island or along the street.
On Christmas Day 2018, a woman had to part with Rwf5m after her drunken driving brought down four palm trees in Kigali.
Ms Muheto faces multiple charges, including driving without a license, driving under excessive influence of alcohol, damaging public infrastructure, and fleeing the scene.
Living a life where her social status demands endorsements and sashaying the nightlife, drinking becomes a part and Ms Muheto appears to be paying for the fame.
Ms Muheto succeeded Grace Ingabire in March 2022 but she has maintained the crown since the central African nation banned the pageant after a series of sex-related scandals the same year.