South Africa withdraws case against 95 Libyans arrested at 'illegal military' training camp

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Thursday that it has withdrawn charges against 95 Libyan nationals arrested last month at a suspected "secret military training camp" in the northeastern Mpumalanga province.

The Libyans appeared in the white Rivers magistrates court for the third time on Thursday, and the director of public prosecutions told the court that the charges against them were dropped.

They were apprehended in July during a police raid on a training camp in White River, a holiday town in Mpumalanga, where they were alleged to be receiving military training.

According to police, the camp allegedly housed military training equipment and drugs.

The Libyans who entered South Africa in April on study permits to become security guards were charged with violating the country's immigration laws.

The Home Affairs Department cancelled their visas in July, saying they obtained them irregularly in Tunisia through misrepresentation.

The Libyans are currently in the custody of the Home Affairs Department and are expected to be deported back home.