The fugitive who was recently arrested in Paarl in connection with the Rwandan genocide in 1994 is facing over 50 charges.
Also read: Rwandan genocide suspect arrested in Paarl after decades on the run
After decades on the run, Ukiliho Kayishema Fulgence is accused of orchestrating the deaths of more than 2 000 Tutsi refugees.
On Friday, Fulgence made his third appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court where he received his list of 52 charges.
IOL reports that according to court papers, these include several charges of violating the Refugees Act and Immigration Act.
It is alleged that he unlawfully, falsely and with intent to defraud and to prejudice the Department of Home Affairs, gave out and pretended to be Fulgence Dende-Minana, and that he was a Burundian national, in January 2000.
He again gave out and pretended to be Fulgence Dende-Minana, a Burundian national when applying for formal recognition of refugee status, in June 2004, despite the fact that his real name was Kayishema Fulgence, a Rwandan national.
Previously, the state said Fulgence had a warrant of arrest issued against him in March 2019 and that he was to be indicted on genocide, complicity in the genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and extermination as a crime against humanity.
Speaking to IOL, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila explained the list of charges: “Cape Town Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case against Rwandan national, Ukiliho Kayishema Fulgence, for the defence to consult with their client as the state increases charges to more than 50.
“Initially, the State charged him with two counts of fraud, and three counts of contravention of the Immigration Act.
“The State has increased the charges to 54 which comprised nine counts of fraud, 10 counts of the Contravention of Section 37(a) of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998, read with Section 1 of the said Act and 35 counts of Contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, read with Section (1) of the said Act.”
According to Ntabazalila, the State provided the comprehensive charge sheet to the defence on Tuesday morning.
“The defence informed the court today (Friday) that they were informed that their client has been moved from Pollsmoor Prison to Helderstroom Prison, Caledon, which made it difficult for them to consult with their client.
“The defence requested the case to be postponed for them to consult with their client.
“The State did not oppose the request as it was in the interest of justice for the matter to be postponed for them to consult their client.
“Advocate Nathan Adriaanse told the court the defence is expected to advise the court whether they intend to continue with their plan to apply for bail,” he said.
The case was postponed to next week for consultation and for the defence to indicate whether they intend to apply for bail.
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Picture: UN.org