Cape Town – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has dropped charges against 95 Libyans arrested at a suspected military camp in Mpumalanga last month.
Initially charged with contravening the Immigration Act, the NPA decided to withdraw these charges after reviewing evidence and representations.
The NPA said that the charges, related to alleged false statements in visa applications, were no longer pursued.
“The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, 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 who were arrested at the military training camp in July 2024.
“The charges related to alleged misrepresentations made by the accused in their applications for study visas. There were other more serious allegations that [the] SAPS [South African Police Service] needed to look into,” the NPA said on Thursday.
Instead, more serious allegations are being investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS), focusing on the camp’s organisers and financiers.
“Importantly, the SAPS (Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations) are proceeding with investigations against the planners, organisers and financiers of the military training camp. The NPA is working closely with DPCI to ensure that these alleged criminals are brought to justice as appropriate.
The 95 Libyans will be managed by the Department of Home Affairs, which will handle their deportation.
“The NPA has coordinated with its criminal justice partners and the 95 accused will be under the custody of the Department of Home Affairs that will facilitate the deportation process,” the NPA said
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
