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South Africa to expel 95 Libyans detained at military-style camp in White River, Mpumalanga
9:07 CAT | 29 Jul 2024
Image: Senzo Mchunu/X
South Africa said Saturday it would deport as soon as possible 95 Libyans arrested at a camp being investigated for running military-style training in violation of regulations.
The men were arrested on Friday in a raid at the remote camp in the northeastern province of Mpumalanga that borders Mozambique and Eswatini.
Police said the Libyans entered South Africa in April on visas issued for instruuction as security guards. However, police suspected they were receiving military training.
The Home Affairs department said the visas had been “irregularly acquired” in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, and based on “misrepresentation”. They had been cancelled and the men faced deportation.
“It’s clear to us that their being here is illegal…We would want them to be out if the country as soon as possible but we will follow due process,” national police minister Senzo Mchunu told reporters.
A sign leading to the facility outside of White River, about 360 kilometres (220 miles) east of Johannesburg, describes it as an academy offering “specialised security training”.
It was registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) but appeared to have gone beyond the brief of training for security guards, Mchunu said.
“All indications are pointing to this being more of a military training facility than an ordinary security training centre,” he said. “If you like, (it is) wholly military and less, or partially, security.”
Television footage of the camp showed military-style tents but the arrested men were in civilian clothes.
Weapons found at the camp were all legal, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola told reporters. However, questions had to be answered about training “which appears to be basically and fundamentally military,” Mchunu said.
We have just concluded a walkabout of the site where an illegal military training base was established. 95 foreign nationals, all Libyan citizens, have been arrested. Thorough investigations by various law enforcement agencies are underway @SAPoliceService @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/PRvg0swjSj
— Senzo Mchunu (@Senzo_Mchunu_) July 27, 2024
#PoliceMinistry During the takedown operation, police also found dagga and cocaine. Some of the other drugs found in their possession are being sent to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in Pretoria to identify them as illegal substances. NP pic.twitter.com/KPsN7MlmFy
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 27, 2024
#sapsHQ National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola assures the nation that the #SAPS will ensure a thorough investigation into allegations that 95 Libyan nationals arrested at a farm in White River, Mpumalanga were allegedly receiving military training.
During the… pic.twitter.com/nVTeH70uzu
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 26, 2024
Source: AFP
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