This is according to Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who was answering a parliamentary question by ActionSA’s Athol Trollip. Ntshavheni explained that the SSA played an advisory role to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and continues to do so.

Additionally, the Minister revealed the SSA is working with the Border Management Agency (BMA) and Police to improve biometric controls and border security.

While investigations into how the military training was facilitated remain active, authorities have yet to identify which entities or individuals were responsible for organizing the training, which was conducted by Milites Dei Academy in White River, Mpumalanga. The outcome of these investigations will determine accountability once all relevant details are confirmed, Ntshavenhi added.

Another point of contention in the case was the decision to deport the Libyan nationals without trial. Ntshavheni reiterated the decision to allow their deportation was made by the courts, not the SSA. This raised concerns about the broader implications of such deportations, particularly in relation to accountability. Trollip questioned whether the deportation was an attempt to avoid a legal trial and prevent the individuals from facing questions about the nature of their training.

The Minister clarified the SSA’s role in matter was limited to an advisory position, focused on border security and visa management, emphasising investigations are still ongoing to uncover the full scope of the training programme.

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Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, welcomed the arrest of the Libyan nationals, who reportedly entered the country with visas acquired through misrepresentation in Tunis, Tunisia.

“Following a major joint operation by Home Affairs, [the] South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement authorities, the department is on the ground ensuring that anyone who breached immigration laws is processed through the court. Respect our laws, or there will be consequences,” said the Minister in a statement on Saturday.

The Minister stated the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) had already cancelled the irregularly acquired visas and is working with law enforcement to determine the next steps, including the possibility of deportation. The cancellation of the visas leaves the affected Libyans as “undocumented foreign nationals.”

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, welcomed the arrests and results of the operation, and sought to reassure citizens, saying the SAPS will ensure a thorough investigation is carried out.

“When a team led by SAPS detectives arrived at the farm, they found the Libyans housed in military tents. Military training equipment was also found including licensed firearms. SAPS detectives cannot rule out the possibility that the farm that is accredited as a security training site is allegedly being utilised as an illegal military training camp,” said the SAPS.

“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,” said Masemola.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu conducted a site visit on Saturday, accompanied by Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale and General Masemola. In a statement on X, Minister Mchunu said, “Thorough investigations by various law enforcement agencies are underway.” In a separate post on Facebook, the Minister noted “The illegal military training base discovered in White River in Mpumalanga had elaborate structures, similar to what one would find at a legitimate military training camp.”

SAPS has stated that although the facility was originally designated as a training facility, it had been converted illegally into a military training base.

The facility is registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) as Security Services by Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS), but is also known as Milites Dei Academy.

PSiRA said it had instructed MDSS to immediately cease all training activities and had deployed its inspectorate to inspect the premises to ensure compliance.

The Milites Dei website notes the company specialises in “military training style learning programmes” and provides courses ranging from “army basic training” to “special forces training style learning programmes.” The website lists the “three months specialist operative” course as their “most popular.”

Daily Maverick reported that the Libyan nationals were “on the payroll of eastern Libyan military strongman General Khalifa Haftar.” It was noted they were sent to the camp due to the academy’s reluctance to conduct training in Libya. This is likely due to a recent discovery of an Irish security firm having provided training in Libya, and act in violation of the UN arms embargo against Libya.

The Libyan nationals are due in court today (Monday 29 July) to face charges relating to the contravention of the Immigration Act.

This is a developing story.

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