South African police have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing efforts to combat illegal military activities with the arrest of 95 Libyan nationals. The arrests occurred during a raid on a suspected clandestine military training camp located on a farm in White River, Mpumalanga province. This operation, executed on Friday, uncovered a covert facility that had been operating under the radar and raised substantial concerns about the nature of the activities being conducted.
The camp, situated approximately 360 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Johannesburg, was discovered following intensive investigative work by local authorities. National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe disclosed that the detained Libyans had entered South Africa under the guise of study visas, purportedly for the purpose of training as security guards. However, the evidence gathered suggests that the training they received was of a military caliber, which is far beyond what would typically be associated with security guard training.
The Newsroom Afrika TV news channel provided visual evidence from the scene, showing the scale and setup of the camp. The footage revealed military-style tents in green and khaki arranged in a regimented manner. It depicted dozens of men in civilian attire being apprehended, underscoring the organized nature of the operation and the serious implications for regional security.
Local government official Jackie Macie confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with authorities now questioning the farm’s owner. There have been reports suggesting the presence of similar secret camps in two other towns within Mpumalanga province, an area that shares borders with Mozambique and Swaziland. This geographical context adds complexity to the situation, as it is a known hotspot for concerns related to illegal immigration and cross-border activities.
Police have yet to determine if these camps are associated with any specific militant groups or ongoing regional conflicts. The primary focus of the investigation is to uncover whether there is a network of such facilities operating across South Africa and to understand the broader implications for national and regional security.
Macie highlighted that the investigation's goal is to ascertain the reason behind conducting military training in South Africa and to evaluate the potential threats posed by such activities. The situation is further complicated by the discovery of recent criminal activities, including rape and armed robberies, in communities close to the farm. Victims of these crimes had reported that the perpetrators appeared to be foreigners, which has heightened concerns about possible criminal links to the detained individuals.
Police spokesman Donald Mdhluli stressed the gravity of the situation, noting that the findings from the raid were alarming. “The nature of the training discovered at this camp extends well beyond the scope of typical security guard training. The equipment and setup we encountered indicate that this was essentially a military base,” Mdhluli said.
The raid, which began two days prior, revealed that the Libyan nationals had been residing in South Africa since at least April. Mpumalanga acting provincial police commissioner Maj. Gen. Zeph Mkhwanazi confirmed that all 95 individuals are in custody and are being questioned by relevant authorities.
The ongoing investigation is expected to be critical in uncovering the full extent of the operation and addressing any potential threats it may pose. The authorities are particularly concerned about the implications for South Africa and the wider southern African region, as the presence of such military training camps could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and security.
