The case against 95 Libyans, initially charged at a suspected military camp, has been formally withdrawn.
The suspects, who appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on August 15, faced allegations of contravening the Immigration Act. However, all criminal charges have now been dropped.
Monica Nyuswa, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), confirmed the decision. “After the NPA looked at the evidence contained in the docket and representation by the employers of the group, it was decided to withdraw the case,” Nyuswa told the media.
She also confirmed that the charges were not sustainable enough to continue with the prosecution.
Reports from the court indicated that the 95 Libyans celebrated the withdrawal of their case, with expressions of jubilation audible in the courtroom.
These men, who had entered South Africa on study visas obtained in Tunisia, will now be handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation. If further investigations confirm that no false information was provided during their visa applications, they could face repatriation.
Authorities were also scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the security training facility where the suspects were found and the roles of its owners. Calvin Rafadi, a forensic and criminal expert, raised concerns last week about inconsistencies in the reports of how the camp was discovered.
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Questions were also raised concerning inspections, facility signage, and the tax compliance of Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS), which managed the training operations.
The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) has since suspended the operating license of MDSS. This indicates ongoing concerns regarding the transparency and legal compliance of the security training provided at the facility.
