KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda National Police (RNP) have taken celebrity disc jockey Arnaud Shema, widely known as DJ Toxxyk, into custody following a fatal hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a police officer in the line of duty.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 20. According to law enforcement, the officer was struck while performing his duties. The driver fled the scene immediately following the collision, sparking a brief but intensive manhunt.
Arrest and Investigation
Shema was apprehended later Saturday afternoon in the Karongi District, several hours after the initial incident. Authorities stated that he had been in hiding prior to his arrest.
"The investigation into the cause of the accident is still ongoing," said RNP spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga. While the specific circumstances leading to the crash have not been released, the focus remains on why the suspect failed to stop at the scene.
Shema is currently being held at the Remera Police Station in Kigali.
Legal Precedent and Public Figures
The arrest of DJ Toxxyk comes amid heightened public and judicial scrutiny of traffic violations involving Rwandan celebrities. The case draws immediate comparisons to the recent trial of Miss Rwanda 2022, Divine Nshuti Muheto, who faced similar charges following a traffic incident.
In Muheto’s case, prosecutors sought a stringent one-year sentence for fleeing the scene, in addition to six months for drink-driving and two months for driving without a permit. However, the court ultimately found her innocent of fleeing the scene. She was handed a three-month suspended sentence and fined Rwf 190,000 (approximately $140 USD) for the remaining charges.
A Growing Security Crisis
The outcome of Shema’s case may differ significantly due to the loss of life involved. Under Rwandan law, fleeing the scene of an accident—particularly one involving a fatality—carries severe legal penalties.
The death of an officer on duty has reignited a national conversation regarding road safety and the accountability of public figures. In Rwanda, leaving the site of a collision is rarely justifiable and often leads to enhanced criminal charges, regardless of who was at fault for the initial impact.
The RNP has not yet released the name of the deceased officer, pending notification of his family.
