South Africa’s Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) stated that a camp training 95 Libyan nationals in a military style was deemed “illegal” and lacked proper accreditation.
The camp, linked to Milites Dei Security Services, was found to be operating outside legal parameters.
Manabela Chauke, PSiRA’s director, confirmed that Milites Dei Security Services has one accredited facility.
However, the second facility, where the Libyans were discovered, was not accredited and was conducting illegal operations outside of South Africa’s regular security training programs.
In a police raid last month, 95 Libyan nationals were arrested at a supposed “secret military camp” in White River, Mpumalanga province. This area borders Mozambique and Eswatini.
Authorities claimed the camp contained military training gear and drugs.
The Libyans appeared in court for the second time on Monday, facing charges related to visa application misrepresentations.
The court has postponed their case for three weeks. Their visas, obtained irregularly in Tunisia, were canceled by South African authorities.
Arriving in April on study permits intended for security guard training, the Libyans allegedly received military training instead.
Scheduled to return in December, they found instructors who used military ranks and saw trenches, which is unusual for typical security training.
Authorities plan to press charges against the training school’s owners.
