95 Libyans detained by South African police at suspected military camp

• South African authorities arrested 95 Libyans at a farm in Mpumalanga, allegedly converted into a military training base.
• The men, all Libyan nationals, were reportedly linked to harassment complaints lodged by local residents.
• The men entered the country in April, claiming to be training for security guards, but violated their visa.

South African authorities rounded up 95 Libyans in a raid on Friday at a farm that appeared to have been converted into a military training base, according to police. The early morning raid took place near the town of White River in the northeastern province of Mpumalanga, about 360 kilometers (220 miles) east of Johannesburg.

“The place, which was initially designated as a training site, appears to have been converted into an illegal military training base,” police said in a statement.

“The 95 individuals taken into custody are all Libyan nationals and are currently being questioned by the relevant authorities.”

Mpumalanga’s safety and security minister, Jackie Macie, told local media that the men had entered the country in April, claiming to be training to be security guards. However, he said they had “violated their visa.” Authorities suspected that the men were linked to several harassment complaints lodged by local residents in recent months.

Authorities were processing the group with the aim of sending them back to their country of origin, Macie said. Television footage from the scene showed a heavy police presence outside the suspected camp, which included green military-style tents and sandbags. Police spokesman Donald Mdhluli told AFP that the security company’s owner was a South African national.

“The site was said to be a training camp for a security company but it is a military base by the looks of things,” he said.

South African officials will contact Libyan authorities about the group, he said. He also mentioned that most of those detained were on student visas.

“We do suspect them of serious crime because we have had multiple complaints from the community for cases including rape,” Mdhluli said.

“We are not arresting them now but we are taking them in for questioning and will investigate any criminal activity.”

The raid was launched two days after authorities received intelligence about the site, the official said.

“We take any threat to the security and stability of our province and country very seriously,” Mpumalanga acting police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi said in a statement.

He added that there was no immediate threat to community safety. Most of the men did not speak English, and it was unclear whether the Libyans were affiliated with any group or what they were doing in South Africa. Although Libya, rich in oil, has experienced relative calm over the past four years, clashes still periodically occur between its numerous armed groups.

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