South Africans are furious after the NPA withdrew charges against the 95 Libyans arrested at a secret military training camp.
Circumstances Of The Arrest
Authorities arrested the 95 Libyan nationals in connection with an illegal military training camp in White River, Mpumalanga. On Thursday, the suspects appeared for the third time at the White River Magistrates Court, where the director of public prosecutions requested that the charges be dropped.
The arrests took place in July when a specialised team of police and Home Affairs officials conducted a raid on a farm in White River. The site was found to be an illegal military camp, and authorities discovered drugs, contraband, and military-grade weapons during the operation. The State subsequently charged the 95 Libyan nationals with contravening the Immigration Act.
How The NPA Withdrew Charges Against 95 Libyans Arrested At A Secret Military Training Camp
In a surprising development on Thursday, the NPA withdrew all charges against the group. The Libyan nationals had been facing a single charge under the Immigration Act and were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs while awaiting deportation.
An urgent notice was sent to both the defence and the accused, instructing them to appear in court on Thursday for the withdrawal of the charges. Defence lawyer Nico Du Plessis expressed satisfaction with the NPA’s decision to drop the case.
“After the case was last time postponed to the 26th of August, we made representations to the direct of public prosecutions of Mpumalanga that the matter must be withdrawn. And we were yesterday informed, to be at court today.”
Reactions To The Drama Involving The Libyans Caught At A Secret Military Camp
Social media users expressed mixed sentiments after the Libyans walked free.
Siya:
“Someone made a call to tell them to drop that case, bro; this is scary.”
Dings:
“Something is fishy here. Something is smelly.”
Menzi:
“We are in trouble….”
SK:
“I knew it!!! South Africans will always do this.”
Ntimba:
“South Africa 🇿🇦 is On Autopilot 😆 🤣 😂”
Fatic:
“They will be deported and come back again to do it at a different venue. Some is getting paid.”