The 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested during a raid at an alleged military training camp appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court today, July 29.
ALSO READ: More revealed about alleged secret military training camp outside White River
The Mpumalanga police raided the camp outside White River on Friday, July 26. According to them, they followed a tip-off from some community members.
The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Monica Nyuswa, said it has decided to prosecute all 95 Libyan nationals on a charge of misrepresentation in their visa applications. Nyuswa said that they allegedly left their country for the purpose of studying, however, when they arrived in South Africa they attended a military training college.
@lowvelder UPDATE: The 95 Libyan nationals who are expected to appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court today, have not. Lowvelder will update its readers as the court proceedings unfold. This is what the National Prosecuting Authority’s provincial spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, has to say at the moment: #lybia🇱🇾 #lybian #whiteriver #hawks
The matter was postponed to Monday, August 5. During the court proceedings the magistrate, Eddie Hall, said: “I will grant a postponement until August 5 for an Arabic interpreter to made available and for legal aid consideration. All of you [the accused] will remain in custody until then. The court will consider any amendments or changes in circumstances in the next hearing.”
ALSO READ: Mpumalanga SAPS uncovers suspected secret military base near White River
Nyuswa said the court felt that the accused must remain in custody because they do not have a fixed address and it is the only place where they can be kept. She said they plan to oppose bail. “Obviously, because the accused are all foreign nationals, the State is going to oppose bail.”
@lowvelder UPDATE: The Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, gives an update on the investigation into the owner of the alleged military camp outside White River, in which 95 Libyan nationals were found training on Friday July 26. Lowvelder will update its readers as the story unfolds.
