South African authorities have arrested 95 Libyan nationals at a suspected illegal military training camp in the northern province of Mpumalanga.
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The raid took place on Friday morning, July 26, 2024. A farm near the town of White River in Mpumalanga, approximately 360 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Johannesburg.
The site was initially registered as a training facility for a private security company but appears to have been converted into a military-style camp.
95 Libyan nationals were taken into custody. The individuals allegedly entered South Africa on student visas claiming they were training to become security guards.
Authorities suspect that the camp was used for military training, which is beyond the scope of the claimed security training. The detainees are accused of contravening South Africa’s immigration laws.
The raid was conducted after intelligence was received on Wednesday. Military tents, licensed firearms and other military equipment were discovered, but no illegal substances were found initially.
A continued search uncovered cannabis and cocaine. Multiple complaints from the local community about harassment including alleged rape cases, have been linked to the group.
Police Commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi assured the public that there was no immediate threat to community safety.
The country’s high crime rates have led to a booming private security industry with more than 15,000 firms employing about 2.8 million guards.
The Libyan government recognized by the UN has denied any affiliation with the group and expressed willingness to assist in investigations.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe revealed that the Libyan nationals claimed to have entered South Africa on study visas, ostensibly to train as security guards.
Investigations suggested that they were receiving military training far beyond what would be required for security guard roles.
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Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, acting provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga addressed that the arrest and investigation were taken very seriously due to the security implications for both South Africa and the southern Africa region.
The kind of equipment found at the camp pointed towards intense military training. According to police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli, the camp was essentially functioning as a military base rather than a simple security training site.
The security regulator in South Africa confirmed that the training activities exceeded the legal scope for security guard training.
The 95 Libyan nationals reportedly entered South Africa in April using study visas as their means of entry. They presented themselves as trainees in the security sector, a cover that initially concealed their true activities.
Libya has faced chronic instability since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains divided with various armed factions vying for control.
South Africa’s location near Mozambique and Eswatini poses challenges related to illegal immigration and criminal syndicate activities.
The US Treasury sanctioned two Islamic State operatives in South Africa.
The detained Libyans are being questioned by authorities and their immigration status is under review. Efforts are being made to process them for deportation to Libya.
The camp owner, a South African national is under investigation to determine whether he had permission to operate the site as a military training facility.
Authorities are exploring the possibility of other similar camps in Mpumalanga, as well as connections to any organized groups or factions.
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