On Thursday, August 15, Magistrate Edward Hall of the White River Magistrate’s Court approved the withdrawal of the criminal charges related to the contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 against the 95 Libyan nationals arrested during a raid at the Milites Dei Security Services training centre near White River on July 26.
ALSO READ: White River court withdraws criminal charge, 95 Libyan nationals set to be deported
According to Advocate Nico du Plessis, the Libyans were expected to be deported within 48 hours. He said this following the court proceedings at the White River Magistrate’s Court.
@lowvelder Lowvelder is attending the appearance of the 95 Libyans who are facing a charge of contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 in the White River Magistrate’s Court today, August 15. The men were expected to appear on August 26 for further investigation, however, the defence advocate, Nico du Plessis, had this to say prior their appearance today. #lybia🇱🇾 #lybya🇱🇾🇱🇾 #libyans #libyantiktok #court #imigration
However, Lowvelder was at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport on Saturday, August 17 and no flight was boarded by the 95 men.
The 95 Libyan nationals were handed over to the custody of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) when the criminal charges against them were withdrawn on Thursday.
@lowvelder Some of the 95 accused Libyans singing what seems to be freedom songs, mostly in Arabic. The words “free Libya” can be heard.#lybia🇱🇾 #court #whiteriver #military
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The Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecution Authority, Monica Nyuswa, said the charges were withdrawn due to insufficient evidence for a conviction.
@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.
The South African minister of home affairs, Leon Schreiber, had instructed the DHA to proceed with haste while adhering to all the legal processes to ensure deportation is conducted swiftly.
ALSO READ: White River Magistrate’s Court postpones Libyans’ case, rules out deportation
DHA officials were present in court on Thursday with paperwork to start the administration processes of the deportation.
@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 #court #hawks
This is a developing story. Lowvelder will update its readers as soon as more information becomes available.
@lowvelder A high-profile police delegation led by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu visited the facility, and provided some feedback about what they had found there. Read more more on Lowveld media website. #mpumalanga nelspruit militarybase
