95 Libyans nabbed at ‘military’ training camp to return home after case withdrawn

The 95 Libyans arrested at a suspected military training base in White River, Mpumalanga, will be deported back to their home country after the state withdrew its case against them.

This was confirmed on Thursday morning after the men made representations to the Mpumalanga director of public prosecutions (DPP).

They also applied to be deported back to Benghazi should their application be successful.

“The acting DPP Sonja Ntuli reviewed all available evidence and the representations made on behalf of the accused and, having considered the evidence and policy considerations, has decided to withdraw the charges preferred against all accused,” NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said.

“Having worked closely with all relevant stakeholders in the criminal justice system, it has been decided that these matters will be dealt with administratively in term of the Immigration Act and its regulations by department of home affairs officials.”

Nyuswa added the NPA has now set its sights on the planners, organisers and financiers of the training facility.

The 95 Libyans are now in the custody of home affairs.

The men were arrested in July after police raided a farm in White River.

Police also recovered military tents with military training equipment, licensed firearms, dagga and cocaine during the takedown.

Advocate Nico du Plessis earlier told the SABC why the matter was back in court after an initial postponement to August 26.

“We made a representation to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) in Mpumalanga for the matter to be withdrawn and we were informed on Wednesday by the DPP's office that we need to be in court today [Thursday].

“We have not heard anything else or received any instructions but we are going to court now and we hope our matter gets the necessary attention,” he said outside the White River magistrate's court before proceedings.

Du Plessis confirmed they had applied to have the men deported to Libya should their application be successful. 

The men were charged with making misrepresentations in their applications for visas.

This after they allegedly misrepresented themselves on visa applications to South Africa, claiming they were coming to train as security guards. 

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