South Africa has decided to deport 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested at a suspected illegal military camp in Mpumalanga, according to EWN news.
This follows the withdrawal of charges by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which had initially accused the group of violating the Immigration Act.
The Libyans were detained in July after a police raid on a farm in White River uncovered military tents, training equipment, firearms, dagga, and cocaine.
On Thursday, the group appeared briefly before the White River magistrates court, where the case was formally dropped due to insufficient evidence.
The court had previously postponed the matter to 26 August to allow for further investigation and consultation with the detainees’ legal representatives. However, a representation was made to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Mpumalanga, resulting in the sudden withdrawal of the case.
Following the court’s decision, the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa confirmed that deportation processes were underway. Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber instructed officials to expedite the deportations while ensuring that all legal procedures were followed.
Despite the withdrawal of charges, the police are continuing to investigate one of the instructors believed to have been training the Libyans during their stay in the country.
Earlier this month, tensions ran high at the White River magistrates court as the Libyan detainees demanded immediate repatriation to Libya. They refused to return to their holding cells after a court hearing was postponed, expressing frustration and asserting their innocence. The detainees, who claimed they had entered South Africa on valid study and training permits, asked for faster legal proceedings, insisting that they were wrongfully accused and jailed.
Advocate Nico du Plessis, representing the Libyan nationals, confirmed that an application had been made for their deportation should the charges be dropped. He also emphasised that the detainees held legitimate permits and legal contracts for their stay in South Africa.
