South African authorities announced on Saturday plans to deport 95 Libyan nationals arrested at a suspected military training camp in the northeastern province of Mpumalanga.
The raid, conducted on Friday, uncovered a facility allegedly operating in violation of the country’s regulations.
Police initially believed the Libyans had entered the country legally in April on visas designated for security guard training.
However, upon closer investigation, authorities determined that the visas had been fraudulently obtained and that the camp’s activities extended far beyond standard security guard instruction.
The camp, located near the town of White River, was registered as a security training academy but exhibited characteristics more aligned with a military facility, according to police minister Senzo Mchunu.
Despite finding legal weapons on site, authorities raised concerns about the nature of the training provided at the camp.
Home Affairs officials have declared the Libyans’ visas invalid and are working to expedite their deportation.
Minister Mchunu emphasized the government’s commitment to following due process while ensuring the swift removal of the foreign nationals.
The incident has prompted a thorough investigation into the camp’s operations and whether similar facilities exist elsewhere in the country.
As authorities delve deeper into the matter, questions remain about how the camp managed to operate undetected for an extended period and the potential implications of its activities.
