Mpumalanga police have arrested 95 Libyan nationals after uncovering a suspected secret military training camp operating from a farm in White River.
Allegations are that the Libyans entered S A in April on study permits. They claimed to be here to study towards being security guards. They were meant to return in December.
Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison Jackie Macie, who was at the scene, said the discovery was concerning and also a threat to the security of the country.
“We are very worried as the province; this is a serious operation in this farm.
“These people violated the Immigration Act and also the purpose of their visas as they came here citing to study security but from what we are seeing here this is a straight military base.
“This is a threat to the security of the province and that of the country hence we have to arrest them, and the relevant departments must take over and return them to their country.”
“We believe there’s more to this hence we need to find out the sponsors for this. Again, our information suggests that there’s more secret military bases in the province, especially around Badplaas and eMalahleni, ,” said Macie.
The operation was carried out by the Mpumalanga SAPS, the ProvJoint structure, the department of home affairs, the police intelligence and PSiRA.
According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the place where the men were arrested is an accredited training institution for people who want to become security guards.
Mandla Khoza
www.sowetanlive.co.za
