South Africa Deports 95 Arrested Libyans In Military Camps

Photo Antara

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa on Saturday (27/7) said it had canceled visas of 95 Libyan nationals arrested on Friday (26/7)

Dozens of Libyans were arrested in a place suspected of being a "secret military camp" in White River, a tourist town in Mpumalanga province in the northeastern part of the country.

Interior Minister Leon Schreiber said that his party welcomed the arrest of Libyans who were said to have obtained visas illegally in Tunisia through inappropriate representatives.

The Interior Department said the cancellation meant that the 95 people who had been arrested were now foreign nationals without documents. The government agency is working with local law enforcement to find options, including deportation.

The Libyans obtained a study permit to come to South Africa, where they claimed to have come to study as security guards.

Police raided the suspected military training camp based on intelligence data, in which they found military and drug training equipment.

The Libyans have reportedly entered South Africa since April and are scheduled to return to their country in December.