Masoyi facility violates regulations, resembles military camp: Mchunu

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has reiterated that the designated security training facility in Masoyi near White River, Mpumalanga, resembles a military training camp. He says the owners of the facility have violated certain regulations as per their application.

Mchunu accompanied by his two deputies, Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Hawks National head Godfrey Lebeya, toured the facility after a lengthy briefing.

Minister Mchunu says the 95 Libyan nationals arrested at the facility will be deported soon but not before investigations are concluded.

“The process of visa applications, there were certain violations there which are being identified and that would be finalised at some point. Their being here is illegal in the first place because the application is pointer of violations in the process. To that effect, we would want them to be out of the country as soon as possible but we will follow due processes and discussions.”

White River Raid | Visa Application violations: Minister Senzo Mchunu weighs in:

‘Community terrorised’ 

Meanwhile, a community leader in Masoyi Lucky Gatsheni says the Libyan nationals terrorised their community. He says some of the suspects used to roam around the neighborhood, robbing and assaulting locals.

“I understand that they were here on the farm for the past four months, but then in our village, it’s only four weeks we noticed them on the streets. We didn’t see any problem with them, because we know that they were foreign nationals, they used to come to our villages. So then later on, they started causing problems in the community. You know, they will walk during the night and they will rob people’s cell phones and sometimes they will even hit them.”

Safety

The residents of Masoyi and surrounding areas have raised concern about their safety after police discovered the suspected military training base at a nearby farm. Some of the residents say the Libyans were acting suspiciously.

“They always have school bags, like they are selling clothes all that. Like, two days back, they came in my car, like they were going that side. They said they had R20, they were five and I said it’s fine. Like, ah, okay. I’m not sure what their business is here. But I think those guys are drug addicts men, because they’re selling their things just to get something to smoke. With what they came here for, I don’t know.”

“Okay, I’m crying about the government, because the government, the border is open. We are not safe.”

“I just heard this for the first time from you guys and it doesn’t sit well with us.”