The State withdrew criminal charges against the 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested at a suspected military training base in Mpumalanga. (Supplied/NPA)
- Charges against 95 Libyan nationals who were training at an alleged military camp in White River, Mpumalanga were withdrawn on Thursday.
- But police are still investigating the training camp.
- The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority served the owners of the Milites Dei Security Services – the security company that allegedly facilitated the camp – with a letter of suspension.
Charges against 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested at a suspected military training camp on a farm outside White River, Mpumalanga last month, have been withdrawn.
However, charges against Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS), the security company responsible for allegedly facilitating the military camp, are still under investigation.
“The investigation in connection to the training facilitator (camp) is ongoing and has not been concluded. Law enforcement agencies are still busy and [charges] have not been withdrawn. Once they are concluded, the matter will be communicated accordingly,” police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said on Thursday.
On Thursday, the owners of MDSS in White River were served with suspension letters, according to Manabela Chauke, the CEO of the  Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira), which found that the camp had been operating illegally.
Chauke added that the Psira’s investigation had led them to the discovery of a second training facility 7.5km from an accredited training facility.
He said the duration of the training programme was found to be longer than that of the accredited facility, and the standard of the training had been adopted from other countries.
Complaints of crime
Locals in the area claimed to have been victims of crimes perpetrated by the group, including rape and robbery, but none had come forward to lay any criminal charges, Mdhluli said.
In the White River Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning, the charges were withdrawn after a brief appearance.
Mdhluli said the accused were facing charges of Contravention of the Immigration Act, and added that when someone enters a country illegally, they need to be deported.
“There were allegations that they have committed criminal activities and people claiming that the Libyan nationals had allegedly raped and robbed locals in the area.”
He added: Â
“However, we made a call for the victims to come forth and lay criminal charges (against the foreign nationals) but since then we haven’t been able to register a single case despite asking the victims to come and lay charges.”
The Libyan nationals will now be in the custody of the Department of Home Affairs, pending their deportation.
Mdhluli told News24 that it was unconstitutional to keep the group in custody without charging anyone.
“The decision was then taken for the group to be deported back to Libya after the administrative work that needs to be done by Home Affairs,” he said.
Editor’s note:Â This story has been updated with additional information.
Tankiso Makhetha
www.news24.com
