South Africa has deported 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested last month at a suspected illegal military training camp in Mpumalanga province. The deportations took place on Sunday following a police investigation that revealed the Libyans were involved in activities that violated their visa terms.
The Libyans had entered South Africa in April on study permits, ostensibly to receive training as security guards. However, in July, a police raid on a training camp in White River, a holiday town in northeastern Mpumalanga, led to their arrest. Authorities reported finding military training equipment and drugs at the site, raising suspicions of illegal activities.
According to the South African police, the Libyans were allegedly receiving unauthorised military training, which constituted a breach of both their visa conditions and the country’s immigration laws.
Visas cancelled due to misrepresentation
Following the investigation, South Africa’s Home Affairs Department cancelled the Libyans’ visas, citing that they were obtained irregularly through misrepresentation in Tunisia. The department determined that the individuals had not been truthful about the nature of their visit to South Africa, leading to the revocation of their study permits.
The Libyan nationals appeared three times at the White River magistrate’s court, but last week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided to withdraw the charges against them. Despite the withdrawal of charges, the decision was made to deport them back to Libya due to the serious nature of their visa violations.
The deportation was carried out through Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, with the Libyans being flown to Benghazi, Libya. The swift action taken by South African authorities underscores the country’s commitment to enforcing its immigration laws and maintaining national security.
Home Affairs vows strict immigration enforcement
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, affirmed that the department will continue to utilise all available resources to ensure strict adherence to immigration regulations. He emphasised that any individuals found to be in violation of South Africa’s immigration laws would face serious consequences, including deportation.
‘The enforcement of our immigration laws is critical to maintaining the integrity of our borders and ensuring the safety of our citizens,’ Schreiber stated. ‘We will not tolerate any activities that compromise our national security.’
The case of the 95 Libyan nationals has drawn attention to the challenges South Africa faces in monitoring and controlling the entry of foreign nationals into the country. The discovery of the illegal military camp has raised concerns about the potential for similar incidents in the future and the need for heightened vigilance.
As South Africa continues to grapple with issues related to immigration and border security, the government’s actions in this case send a clear message that visa fraud and illegal activities will not be tolerated. The deportation of the Libyans marks a significant step in upholding the country’s laws and protecting its sovereignty.
