Ntuthuzelo Nene25 October 2024 | 6:54

Rwandan genocide suspect Kayishema's family says police have the wrong man

The 64-year-old Rwandan national is accused of ordering the killing of 2,000 Tutsi people who were hiding inside a church.

Rwandan genocide suspect Kayishema's family says police have the wrong man

FILE: Fulgence Kayishema, a Rwandan national accused of being involved in the 1994 genocide, in the Cape Town Magistrates Court. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - The family of Rwandan genocide suspect Fulgence Kayishema is adamant that the police got the wrong man when they arrested him.

The 64-year-old Rwandan national is accused of ordering the killing of 2,000 Tutsi people who were hiding inside a church.

He had been on the run for more than two decades.

Kayishema had been living in South Africa, allegedly under a false name for years before he was tracked down and arrested in Paarl in May 2023.

READ: Rwandan genocide suspect moved to Pollsmoor Prison due to security threat

He's facing 56 charges all related to immigration-related offences and his case has been postponed to 28 November.

Family spokesperson Joseph Habinshuti: "All the charges stated, if you go to the court of Arusha (UN court in Arusha, Tanzania) and on Google, put Kayishema Clement and you will see the same charges our Kayishema Fulgence is facing are the same as the one who was the Premier of Kibuyi."