JOHANNESBURG: Ninety-five Libyans, discovered at a suspected military training camp in South Africa’s northeast in July, are set to be deported back to Libya on Sunday, according to the home affairs ministry.
The group has been detained since July 26, following a police raid on a remote training camp near White River, approximately 360 kilometers (220 miles) east of Johannesburg.
“They are scheduled to depart from South Africa this morning from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, with the flight funded by the Libyan Government,” the home affairs ministry stated.
The men entered South Africa in April on visas meant for security guard training, but authorities suspected they were undergoing military training instead. The government later canceled their visas, which were obtained under “irregular circumstances” in Tunis, due to “misrepresentation.”
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber praised the efforts of officials and law enforcement for ensuring a swift deportation process.
Initially, the group faced charges for immigration violations, but these charges were dropped by South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority on Thursday due to insufficient evidence. The case was postponed for further investigation, with authorities not ruling out additional charges.
“We will continue to utilize all available resources to ensure that our immigration laws are enforced and respected,” Schreiber said.
