The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has sought to assure the nation that the SAPS will ensure a thorough investigation is conducted into allegations that 95 Libyan nationals arrested at a farm in White River, Mpumalanga were allegedly receiving military training.
His comments come after a police multidisciplinary team uncovered a suspected secret military camp, where the suspects were arrested following the intelligence driven operation.
Military training equipment was found during the raid including licensed firearms.
According to the police, the place, which was initially designated as a training site, appears to have been converted into an illegal military training base.
“During the takedown operation, police also found dagga and cocaine. 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,” said Masemola.
Masemola added that they cannot rule out the possibility that the farm, which is accredited as a security training site, is allegedly being used as an illegal military training camp.
He said that the police are working closely with the Department of Home Affairs to “determine the circumstances surrounding how these nationals obtained their visas.”
