South African police arrested 95 Libyan nationals in a raid on a suspected secret military training camp on Friday. Authorities are investigating whether there are more illegal bases in other parts of the country.
The camp was discovered at a farm in White River in the Mpumalanga province, about 360 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Johannesburg, police said.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated on social media platform X that the Libyans had entered the country on study visas, purportedly to train as security guards. However, police investigations suggest that the group received military training instead.
The Newzroom Afrika TV news channel broadcast pictures from the site of the arrests, showing a military-style camp with large green and khaki tents set up in a row. Dozens of men were seen lining up as they were being arrested, dressed in civilian clothing, suggesting attempts to conceal their true activities.
Local government official Jackie Macie commented on the ongoing investigations, indicating that the owner of the farm would be questioned. Macie revealed that authorities had received information about similar secret camps near two other towns in Mpumalanga province.
The Mpumalanga province borders Mozambique and Swaziland and is a focal area for South African authorities concerning illegal immigration. The proximity to these neighboring countries raises additional concerns about cross-border activities and the potential for further undiscovered camps.
Police have not yet disclosed the specific reasons behind the establishment of these camps or whether they are linked to a particular group or conflict. However, they are determined to understand why such training is taking place on South African soil.
The police operation to arrest the Libyans and dismantle the camp was described as decisive. Mathe noted that the arrested Libyan nationals had been in the country since at least 2023. Authorities will conduct thorough investigations to ascertain if there are other such camps in the region and to uncover the full scope and purpose of these activities.
Authorities are also focusing on the legality of the visas issued and the process through which the Libyan nationals entered South Africa, aiming to prevent future breaches. The farm owner and any local facilitators will face intense scrutiny as part of the broader investigation.
AP
