Rwandan fugitive

Rwandan fugitive Fulgence Kayishema remanded in custody. Photo: National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)

Rwandan fugitive Fulgence Kayishema appears in court

The Rwandan fugitive Fulgence Kayishema will be held at Cape Town’s Pollsmoor Prison ahead of extradition to Rwanda.

Rwandan fugitive

Rwandan fugitive Fulgence Kayishema remanded in custody. Photo: National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)

Rwandan fugitive Fulgence Kayishema appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court today, Friday, 26 May, following his arrest.

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CHARGES FACED BY THE RWANDAN FUGITIVE

Kayishema, who has been on the run for over two decades was charged with two counts of fraud and three counts of transgression of the Immigration Act.

The Rwandan fugitive was arrested on Wednesday by an operation between South African and Rwandan authorities having evaded arrest by using multiple fake Identity documents.

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FULGENCE KAYISHEMA HAS BEEN ON THE RED NOTICE

An Interpol Red Notice was issued at the request of the United Nations International Residuals Mechanism for Criminal Tribunal (IRMCT) for his arrest. The Rwandan fugitive was wanted by the IRMCT for genocides and crimes against humanity in Rwanda.

Kayishema is alleged to have orchestrated the killing of Tutsi refugees – women, men, children and elderly – at the Nyange Catholic Church during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda. He has been at large since 2001.

According to City Press, the events of the genocide in Nyanga, Rwanda, were one of the most brutal in which an estimated 800 000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed over a period of 90 days. The refugees in the church included men, women, children and the elderly. The tribunal alleged that Kayishema directly participated in the planning and execution of the massacre of 1994. The indictment alleges that Kayishema bought and distributed petrol to burn the church with the refugees inside. The suspect is accused of using a bulldozer to collapse the church.

After the genocide, Kayishema fled Rwanda to the Democratic Republic of Congo. After relocating to several African countries with his wife, children and brother-in-law, he moved to Cape Town, South Africa where he lived and was arrested after being on the run for over two decades.

ALSO READ: Suspect in the Rwandan church genocide arrested after 22 years on the run

ARREST REMARKS BY MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

“With this arrest, two emphatic statements cannot be refuted, that the long arm of the law knows no time bounds and South Africa is not willing to be a safe haven for fugitives. We will continue to assist other countries and international bodies to trace fugitives.”

Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola

According to Reuters, the NPA said the case was postponed to 2June 2023 to allow it time for further investigation. Kayishema will be held at Cape Town’s Pollsmoor Prison ahead of extradition to Rwanda.

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This is a developing story.