White River – Criminal charges have been withdrawn against all 95 Libyans arrested at an “unlawful military training base” in White River, Mpumalanga.
However, the accused who have been in custody since 29 July 2024, will be sent home.
The Libyans appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday, (15 August 2024).
The court heard that the director of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga had withdrawn the charges related to contravening the SA Immigration Act.
However, the court ordered the deportation of the Libyans.
Mpumalanga NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the decision to withdraw the charges followed a consultation with the legal representatives of the accused.
The lawyer of the accused, Nico du Plessis, said the state case alleging the Libyans had falsified information when they applied for SA study visas and instead allegedly attended “military training”, was lacking in evidence.
Commenting on the court ruling, the Department of Home Affairs said it, “welcomes court decision to deport the 95 Libyans” and “undertakes to speedily conclude the deportation process”.
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber, has instructed the department to “proceed with speed” while observing all the legal processes to ensure that the deportations are “conducted swiftly”.
The department said its officials were at the court to secure the confirmations for deportation from the magistrate.
“This will pave the way for their deportation,” the department said adding: “They are also finalising logistics for the deportation”.
The department said it stood ready to send the group back to their home country.
“We will not hesitate to act decisively to ensure that anyone who breaches the immigration laws of the country is processed through the courts and accordingly faces the consequences,” said Minister Schreiber.
“Respect for the rule of law is sacrosanct.”
