A Rwandan cabinet minister has described as "bad news” for Rwandan fugitives a new South African law that came into force on New Year’s Day prohibiting refugees from engaging in political activities.

According to French public radio service Radio France Internationale, or RFI, the legislation, which can result in such refugees being expelled from the country, also tightens the entry and living conditions for refugees.

South Africa is home to renegade Kayumba Nyamwasa, a fugitive of Rwandan justice, having been tried in absentia and sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Nyamwasa heads RNC, which is blamed for a spate of grenade attacks in Rwanda between 2010 and 2014 that killed at least 17 people and injured over 400 others.

Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of State in charge of the East African Community, said on Twitter Monday that the new law "bad news for leaders of the RNC terrorist organisation”.

Speaking to The New Times later, Nduhungirehe said: "This is an important decision by the South African government. It will deter refugees from engaging in destabilising activities against their countries of origin.”

"We know that some of the leaders of the RNC terrorist organisation are based in South Africa and we hope that the new law will prevent them from continuing fuelling terrorist activities in our region.”

RNC maintains an armed group in eastern DR Congo which suffered heavy setbacks during operations by the Congolese forces last year.

Evidence has shown that the group receives considerable support from neighbouring Uganda, a factor that lies at the heart of strained relations between Kigali and Kampala.