Fulgence Kayishema, one of the four remaining fugitives sought over the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, will apply for asylum in South Africa, where he has been living for two decades, his lawyer has said.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in a statement on Tuesday that the accused "has abandoned his bail application and will instead launch an asylum application today".

It did not indicate on what grounds Kayishema was applying for asylum.

"My instructions are to apply for asylum in the Republic of South Africa," lawyer Juan Smuts told AFP news agency after Kayishema appeared in court in Cape Town.

Smuts said his client "fears for his life, if and when extradited". There have not been any formal extradition requests yet.

The 62-year-old was arrested last month in the town of Paarl in South Africa's Cape Winelands region.

'Most wanted'

A former police officer in Rwanda, Kayishema is sought by the United Nations for genocide and crimes against humanity related to the 100 days of horror that unfolded in the East African nation in 1994.

He was charged by the tribunal in 2001 with being a central figure in the slaughter of more than 2,000 people seeking refuge at a church in the early days of the genocide.

He is described by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT), the successor to the UN court that prosecuted scores of major suspects, as "one of the world's most wanted genocide fugitives."

The 62-year-old, who used many aliases and false documents during 22 years on the run, faces 54 immigration-related charges in South Africa.

Kayishema remains in custody, and the case was postponed to August 18 for further investigation.

The state will oppose any bail application on domestic charges should the accused consider applying in future.