File
A Rwandan national wanted for crimes committed at home during the country’s genocide is seeking asylum in South Africa.
Ukiliho Kayishema Fulgence was arrested last month in Paarl by members of a multi-disciplinary team following an Interpol Red Notice for the fugitive.
The Hawks said the 61-year-old was wanted by the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals for “genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity in Rwanda, 1994.”
He had been living in South Africa under a false name, Donatien Nibashumba.
The National Prosecuting Authority in the Western Cape said Fulgence appeared in court on Tuesday and is facing 54 charges, comprising nine counts of fraud, ten counts of contravening a Section of the Refugees Act, and 35 counts of contravening the Immigrations Act.
NPA Western Cape spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said Fulgence, through his lawyer, Juan Smuts, abandoned his bail application and will instead launch an asylum application.
He said there was no indication that he would bring a bail application at a later stage, but said the state would oppose it anyway.
The matter was postponed to 18 August and Fulgence was remanded in custody.
