The Department of Home Affairs of South Africa says it has concluded its preparations to deport the 95 Libyan nationals who have been arrested in White River, Mpumalanga.
This deportation came after charges were dropped against the 95 men who were arrested on suspicion of receiving training at an illegal military camp.
“They are scheduled to leave South Africa from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport this morning in a flight that has been paid for by the Libyan government (Hammad government in eastern Libya),” the department said in statement on Sunday.
The Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has since welcomed the swift conclusion of the deportation, commending the Home Affairs officials and other law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to ensure an expeditious deportation.
“We will continue to deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that the country’s immigration laws are respected and observed,” said Schreiber.
The 95 Libyans, who entered South Africa in April on study permits to become security guards, were apprehended in July during a police raid on a training camp in White River, a holiday town in Mpumalanga. According to police, they found military training equipment and drugs at the camp.
