By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least ninety-five persons believed to be citizens of Libya have been arrested by South African authorities on suspicion of receiving training at an “illegal” military camp in the country, the police announced on Friday.
South African police officials had two days ago received intelligence information on the development, but conducted a raid at the camp on Friday where the arrests were made.
The camp is located on a farm near White River, a small town in the northern province of Mpumalanga.
According to South Africa’s national police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, the suspects had “misrepresented themselves” on their visa applications by claiming that they would be training as security guards.
“We take any threat to the security and stability of our province and country very seriously,” police commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi was quoted as saying in a police statement.
The police however assured the public that there was “no immediate threat to community safety”.
The 95 Libyan nationals have been taken into custody and are being questioned by the relevant authorities.
No information has been disclosed on who the suspects were receiving training from.
