95 Libyans arrested at suspected military camp to appear in court

The  95 Libyan nationals arrested in a suspected military training camp in Masoyi north of White River, Mpumalanga, are expected to urgently appear at the White River Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

The foreign nationals were arrested at a designated security training camp following a raid by police and officials of the Department of Home Affairs a few weeks ago.

The men are facing charges of Contravention of the Immigration Act.

According to the Home Affairs Department, they entered the country with visas acquired through misrepresentation. Their visas have since been cancelled.

The suspected military training camp was uncovered following a joint intelligence-driven operation by the police and the Department of Home Affairs a few weeks ago.

Last week, their legal team requested the court to allow their clients to be relocated from the Barberton Correctional facility to Nelspruit prison.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga is convinced that the suspects have a case to answer.

NPA Provincial Spokesperson Monica Nyuswa says, “The reason being it’s because the accused before this court are foreign nationals and we don’t know where they are residing. If we release them on bail, there is a likelihood that they may evade trial.”

VIDEO|  95 Libyan nationals to appear in court: