By Delicious Mathuthu
South Africa – The 95 Libyans who were arrested during a police raid of an illegal military training camp in South Africa will appear before the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of lying in their visa applications.
The court proceedings were postponed from the 29th of July to Monday the 5th of August 2024, as the courts had no Arabic intepretor.
Speaking to the media, South African National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said apart from the need of an Arabic intepretor, the 95 were remanded in custody as they have no fixed addresses.
She said they are facing charges of mis-representing, in their visa applications.
“They are facing a charge of mis-representing in their visa application. Remember when they left their country in Libya they came here to study in South Africa, however where they were found they were doing training to become soldiers,” she said.
“So as they appeared in court (on the 29th of July)… the court postponed the matter to the 5th of August 2024 to find an Arabic interpreter.
“So the court felt that the accused must not be released since they do not have fixed addresses and that the only place where they can be kept is in custody,” Nyuswa said.
The 95 were arrested by South African police at an illegal military training camp at White River farm, which is accredited as a security training site.
Drugs and military training equipment were also found in the camp.
The bust was conducted by a multi-disciplinary security team from the South African Police Services (SAPS) acting on received intelligence on suspected illegal military activities at the site.
“A team of detectives is investigating alleged suspicious activities that are taking place at the farm.
“When a team led by SAPS detectives arrived at the farm this morning they found the Libyans housed in military tents. Military training equipment was also found including licensed firearms,” SAPS’s Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
