SA police hunt for more Libyan military training bases

Muhammad Amin

Police have launched a dragnet across Mpumalanga in search of more Libyan military training facilities after they arrested 95 Libyans at a suspected base near White River on Friday.

They are believed to be concentrating their searches around Badplaas and eMalahleni after informers tipped them off that there may be more secret bases around the province.

It remains unclear if the Libyans are from the Western or the Eastern governments of Libya which has been torn in two ever since the ouster of Muammar Ghadaffi in 2011.

The Western, UN-backed government in Tripoli is battling a sprawling incursion by the Eastern government based in Bengazi under warlord Khalifa Haftar who is backed by Russia’s Wagner security operation and the UAE.

Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison Jackie Macie said on Friday during the raid at the alleged base: “We believe there’s more to this, hence we need to find out the sponsors for this. Again, our information suggests that there’s more secret military bass in the province, especially around Badplaas and eMalahleni.”

The arrested men claimed they’d been brought to South Africa to train as security guards and police confirmed the facility was an accredited training institution with the security industry.

But national police spokesman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said clear signs indicated a more military purpose behind the training. Trenches dug into the ground indicated training for conventional warfare purposes, for instances.

Police decided to raid after keeping the place under surveillance for some time.

Dagga, cocaine and other drugs were also found at the facility.

National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola said police were determined to uncover exactly what kind of activities were unfolding at the suspected base as well as who was behind it.

“Some of the other drugs found in their possession are being sent to the SAPS forensic science laboratory in Pretoria to identify them as illegal substances. The safety and security of our citizens is of paramount importance and the SAPS remains committed to dealing decisively with transnational organised crime”, Masemola told The Sowetan.

Mpumalanga police said the men were presently charged with immigration offences pending further investigations. Although the men entered the country legally, police are challenging their permits, claiming they entered under false pretenses, claiming they were here for ordinary security officer training when their real intent was of a military nature.

“This is a threat to the security of the province and that of the country hence we have to arrest them, and the relevant departments must take over and return them to their country,” Macie said.