Police probing Mpumalanga farm used as alleged military training base
Police also seized dagga and cocaine at the alleged illegal military base where 95 Libyans were arrested in White River, Mpumalanga.
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South African Police Service(SAPS) Commissioner Fannie Masemola says the men and women in blue will thoroughly investigate allegations that 95 Libyan nationals arrested at a farm in White River, Mpumalanga, were using the farm as a military training base.
The immigrants were taken in for questioning on Friday following an intelligence-driven operation.
SAPS COMMISSIONER WEIGHS IN ON WHITE RIVER MILITARY BASE
Earlier on Friday, Mpumalanga police said the place, which was initially designated as a training site, appears to have been converted into an illegal military training base.
Mpumalanga acting police commissioner major-general Zeph Mkhwanazi said the investigation is still ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.
“The SAPS would like to assure the public that there is no immediate threat to community safety,” Mkhwanazi affirmed.
Meanwhile, Masemola has welcomed the intelligence-driven operation that led to the takedown operation on Friday morning by a multidisciplinary team, including detectives and specialized units within the SAPS.
A team of detectives is investigating alleged suspicious activities that are taking place at the farm.
When a team led by SAPS detectives arrived at the farm this morning, they found the Libyans housed in military tents. Military training equipment was also found, including licensed firearms.
National SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said detectives 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.
Mathe said the SAPS is working closely with the Department of Home Affairs on this case to determine the circumstances surrounding how these nationals obtained their visas.
Further, Masemola has called for calm and said he has complete confidence in the team working on this case.
He added that police would leave no stone unturned in determining what activities had been taking place on the farm.
“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 are paramount, and the SAPS remains committed to dealing decisively with transnational organised crime,” Masemola said.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ALLEGED ILLEGAL MILITARY CAMP WAS USED FOR?
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