A Rwandan fugitive wanted in connection with the 1994 Rwandan genocide has been arrested by South African Operational Task Team (OTT) comprised of CI, DHA, DIRCO, Interpol, DoJ, NPA led by DPCI and Crimes Against the State.
The Rwandan fugitive aged 61 was arrested on INTERPOL Red Notice that was issued by the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (UN IRMCT).
He was wanted by IRMCT for genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Rwanda, 1994.
At the time of his arrest on a grape farm in Paarl, Western Cape, on 24 May 2023, the Rwandan fugitive was living under a false identity (Donatien Nibashumba).
The investigation conducted by OTT led to the arrest of the fugitive in Paarl. The fugitive will appear before court on 26 May 2023 for immigration laws and INTERPOL Red notice. This came after the OTT received the fugitive’s whereabouts and pictures from the IRMCT that led to the identification of the fugitive who was wanted since 2002.
According to the arrest warrant issued and IRMCT indictment, the fugitive was the Police Inspector in Rwanda who allegedly played a significant role in the planning and execution of genocide where more than 2000 people were killed in 1994.
The National Head of the Hawks commended the team for their excellent work and he said that the arrest of the fugitive demonstrates the power and effectiveness of international co-operation between police worldwide in obtaining information in relation to the identification, location and apprehension of fugitives around the world. It proves that however long it takes, the law enforcement community will keep on searching for fugitives until they are located and arrested.
This operation is a credit to law enforcement officers and agencies in South Africa and Rwanda.
The fugitive will remain in custody to appear in the Bellville Magistrate Court for his first appearance on Friday 26 May 2023 at the disposal of South African judicial authorities pending his extradition to Rwanda.
