95 Libyans deported by South Africa after being found at military camp

• The men were detained since a raid on July 26, when they were suspected of receiving military training.
• The case was initially charged with violating immigration rules but was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
• The South African National Prosecuting Authority will continue to enforce immigration laws.

The South African home affairs ministry announced that 95 Libyans found at a suspected military camp in the country’s northeast in July would be deported back to Libya on Sunday. The Libyan men have been detained since July 26, when police raided the remote training camp near White River, about 360 kilometers (220 miles) east of Johannesburg.

“They are scheduled to leave South Africa from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport this morning in a flight that has been paid for by the Libyan Government,” the home affairs ministry said in a statement.

Police reported that the men entered South Africa in April with visas issued for security guard training. However, they suspected the men were receiving military training. The government then canceled the visas, which were “irregularly acquired” in Tunis, Tunisia, based on “misrepresentation.”

“I commend the Home Affairs officials and other law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to ensure an expeditious deportation,” the department’s minister Leon Schreiber said in a statement.

Initially, authorities charged the group with violating immigration rules. They postponed the case for further investigation and did not rule out additional charges. However, on Thursday, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority dropped the case, citing insufficient evidence.

“We will continue to deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that the country’s immigration laws are respected and observed,” Schreiber said.

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