NINETY-FIVE Libyan nationals have been arrested in South Africa on suspicion of receiving training at an illegal military camp, according to police. The raid took place on Friday at a farm near White River, a small town in the northern province of Mpumalanga.
During the raid, officers discovered military tents, licensed firearms, and other military equipment. Additionally, cannabis and cocaine were found at the camp.
Police conducted the raid after receiving intelligence on Wednesday. BBC reported National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe as saying that the Libyans allegedly ‘misrepresented themselves’ on their visa applications by claiming they would be training as security guards. The camp was initially registered as a security training site but appears to have been converted for military training.
‘We take any threat to the security and stability of our province and country very seriously,’ said police commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi in a statement. However, the statement also assured the public that there was ‘no immediate threat to community safety.’
The 95 Libyan nationals have been taken into custody and are being questioned by the relevant authorities. The police have not disclosed who might have been providing the military training to the detainees.
