Police Minister Confirms Illegal Military Camp Is Non-compliant, More Militant Than Security Training Centre

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has revealed that an alleged illegal military camp in Mpumalanga was found to be non-compliant, with 95 Libyans arrested for being in the country illegally.

The arrests occurred on Friday morning after police raided the site located in White River. During the raid, authorities confiscated firearms, military equipment, cocaine, dagga, and other illegal substances.

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The private land, which reportedly features a gym and shooting range, was not being utilized for its intended purpose as a security guard training facility. Mchunu stated on Saturday that the site functioned both as a non-compliant security training company and a military camp training militia.

He emphasized the discrepancy between the facility’s intended use and its actual operations, pointing to a significant gap between the original application’s compliances and the current activities.

Mchunu confirmed that although the facility was legally certified as a training service provider, the ongoing investigation revealed that the site is more of a military training facility than a security training centre.

National Police Commissioner General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola added that while legal firearms were found, there was no evidence of their use.

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According to Mchunu, the Libyans were in police custody and had violated visa application processes, confirming their illegal status in South Africa.

He stressed the urgency of deporting the foreign nationals and hinted at possible future discussions between South African and Libyan officials. Mchunu also denied any police training at the facility and indicated that the owner would face arrest if implicated in the ongoing investigations.

[WATCH] “They are here illegally. We would like them to be out of the country as soon as possible.” – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on the 95 Libyans arrested at an alleged illegal military camp in Mpumalanga. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/CMGqXF0sPk

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 27, 2024