The White River magistrate’s court in South Africa experienced chaos this morning as 95 Libyan detainees refused to return to their holding cells, demanding immediate repatriation to Libya.
After their court hearing was postponed, the men, chanting and expressing frustration, insisted they did nothing wrong and demanded faster legal proceedings. According to “Sowetan Live” news, they also requested food and cigarettes.
Additional police were called to manage the situation, ensuring order at the courthouse.
Through an interpreter, the detainees expressed their desire for a swift resolution to their case, allowing them to return home. They claimed that upon arrival in South Africa, they had valid study and training permits but were unexpectedly accused of wrongdoing and jailed.
“If South Africa doesn’t want us, let us go home then,” one detainee stated.
Their defense attorney, Advocate Nico du Plessis, expressed hope that the detainees could willingly return to Libya rather than face deportation. Speaking to eNCA, Du Plessis explained that the detainees were in South Africa on legitimate study and training permits, supported by legal contracts.
Despite the situation, the detainees agreed to cooperate with law enforcement and will remain in Nelspruit prison until their next court appearance on August 26.
While waiting at the White River magistrate court for transport back to prison, the group chanted “Libya! Libya! Libya!” expressing their anger and frustration.
Du Plessis mentioned that discussions were ongoing with home affairs officials and the state to secure the detainees’ release. However, there had been no contact with Libyan authorities on their behalf.
Last month, South African police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli confirmed that the 95 Libyan nationals arrested on Friday had entered the country on student visas. These detainees were apprehended during a raid on a farm near White River in Mpumalanga province. Initially intended as a training camp for a security company, the site is now suspected of being converted into a military training base.
Mdhluli stated that South Africa would communicate with Libyan authorities regarding the detainees. The police are investigating the legitimacy of the camp, operated by a South African citizen, to determine if it was legally transformed into a military base.
