South African police arrested 95 Libyan nationals in a raid on a suspected covert military training camp, and authorities claimed they were looking into whether there were more unlawful sites throughout the country.
The camp was discovered on a property in White River, Mpumalanga province, around 360 kilometers north-east of Johannesburg, authorities said on Friday.
National police spokesman Athlenda Mathe revealed in a post on the social media site X that the Libyans claimed to have entered the country on study visas to train as security guards, but police investigations indicate they got military training.
Jackie Macie, a local government official, said investigations were ongoing and the farm’s owner would be questioned. He stated that officials have received information about similar hidden camps in two other towns in Mpumalanga province.
The province has borders with Mozambique and Swaziland, and South African authorities are concerned about illegal immigration in the region.
Police and authorities have not stated if the camps are suspected of being associated with a specific organization or conflict.
Macie stated that investigations would determine whether there was a network of camps in South Africa and explain “why they are here doing military training in our country.”
Police say the effort to arrest the Libyans and close the camp began two days ago. Macie stated that the Libyans had been in the country since at least April.
“The 95 individuals taken into custody are all Libyan nationals and are currently being questioned by the relevant authorities,” said Mpumalanga acting provincial police commissioner Maj. Gen. Zeph Mkhwanazi in a statement.
Also Read: South Africa’s Jacob Zuma Risks Expulsion From ANC
