South African police have arrested 95 Libyan nationals in a raid on a suspected secret military training camp in Mpumalanga province. The camp was discovered at a farm in White River, about 360 kilometers northeast of Johannesburg. Authorities are investigating whether there are more illegal bases in other parts of the country.
The Libyans claimed they entered the country on study visas to train as security guards, but police investigations suggest they have received military training. The camp, depicted as a military-style setup with large green and khaki tents, raised concerns among authorities.
Local government official Jackie Macie mentioned ongoing investigations and the questioning of the farm owner. Information received indicated the presence of similar secret camps near two other towns in Mpumalanga province, which borders Mozambique and Swaziland.
Authorities have not disclosed any connections of the camps to a specific group or conflict. However, police suspect the men may be linked to recent crimes reported in nearby communities, including cases of rape and armed robberies allegedly committed by unknown foreigners of Asian descent.
The operation to arrest the Libyan nationals and shut down the camp began two days prior. The individuals, who had been in the country since at least April, are currently being questioned by relevant authorities.
The country's security regulator confirmed that the type of training observed at the camp exceeded the scope of security guard training. The presence of intense military training equipment at the site led authorities to describe it as a military base.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if there is a network of such camps in South Africa and to understand the motives behind conducting military training within the country. Authorities are concerned about potential threats not only to South Africa but also to the broader southern Africa region.
