WATCH | SA sends 95 Libyans home after ‘military camp’ bust

95 Libyans

Cape Town – The 95 Libyans found at an alleged military camp in Mpumalanga have been deported back to Libya.

Home Affairs confirmed the deportation, with the Libyan government covering the costs.

“I commend the Home Affairs officials and other law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to ensure an expeditious deportation.

“We will continue to deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that the country’s immigration laws are respected and observed,” Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said in a statement.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew charges against the men, initially arrested for immigration violations, after reviewing the evidence.

Investigations are ongoing into the organisers of the military camp.

Police had said the men entered South Africa in April on visas issued for training as security guards.

However, police suspected they were receiving military training.

The government then cancelled the visas which were “irregularly acquired” in the Tunisian capital Tunis based on “misrepresentation”.

Initially, the group had been charged with violating immigration rules. Their case was postponed for further investigation with authorities not ruling out further charges.

But on Thursday the case was dropped by the NPA who cited insufficient evidence.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

Additional reporting by AFP

 

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