South African police have detained 95 Libyan nationals for questioning on suspicion of receiving training at a secret military camp.
Police said on Friday that they had carried out a morning raid on the alleged military camp, located at a farm in White River in Mpumalanga province in the north of the country.
They said they found military tents, licenced firearms and other military equipment. Cannabis and cocaine were also found at the camp, the police said.
Police said the operation to arrest the Libyans and close down the camp began two days ago. Television footage from the scene showed a heavy police presence outside the suspected camp, which included green military-style tents and sandbags.
National police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said in a post on X that the Libyans said they were entering the country on study visas to train as security guards, but police investigations suggested they had received military training.
“We categorically deny that the apprehended group is affiliated with our government or that we have any connection to their dispatch or assignment,” the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli said on Friday, adding that it was monitoring the case.
