The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that it would charge 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested on Friday in what is suspected to be an illegal military base in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga police raided the farm uncovering what appeared to be a secret military base training for illegal Libyan nationals since April this year. It followed a tip-off from community members of Masoyi village near the base.
Provincial police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the NPA received intelligence about the activities on this farm. The subsequent raid led to the detention of 95 Libyan nationals who were found to be training at the camp.
Delays and a lack of information from the NPA were apparent outside the White River Magistrate’s Court where a media contingent gathered, waiting for the accused to appear. There were also logistical issues to accommodate the accused in one court room.
It is believed the NPA was earlier making a decision on whether to prosecute or not.
However, speaking to the media on Monday outside the court, NPA spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa confirmed that the prosecuting authority had made a decision to prosecute.
“I can confirm that the NPA has received dockets regarding the 95 Libyan nationals who where arrested last Friday.
“At this stage, the NPA has made a decision to prosecute all 95 Libyan nationals on a charge of misrepresentation of the application in their visas. It’s the only charge at this stage... So when they appear the matter will be postponed for further investigations,” she said.
She added that further investigations would indicate whether to add more charges against the accused.
Court proceedings are expected to take place on Monday.
The Star