The National Prosecuting Authority has withdrawn the case against 95 Libyan nationals arrested during a raid at a suspected illegal military camp in White River, Mpumalanga, last month. The group appeared briefly at the White River Magistrates Court, where the application to have their charges withdrawn was heard.

TO BE DEPORTED

The accused appeared in court last Monday and their case was postponed to 26 August. But yesterday, an urgent notice was sent out to both the defence and the accused persons to appear before the White River Magistrates Court today, where their charges were withdrawn. Defence lawyer, Nico Du Plessis, said they welcome the NPA's withdrawal of charges. "After the case was postponed to the 26th of August, we made representations to the direct of public prosecutions of Mpumalanga that the matter must be withdrawn. We were informed yesterday to be at court today," Du Plessis said. The group will now be handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for deportation and the process is expected to last for 48 hours.

COURT DECISION WELCOMED

The Department of Home Affairs has welcomed today's court decision to deport the 95 Libyans. Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber, said he has instructed officials to proceed with speed, while observing all the legal processes to ensure that the deportations are conducted swiftly. He also said that officials were in court to secure the confirmations for deportation from the magistrate. They are also finalising logistics. "We will not hesitate to act decisively to ensure that anyone who breaches the immigration laws of the country is processed through the courts and accordingly faces the consequences. Respect for the rule of law is sacrosanct," said Schreiber. The Libyans were apprehended during a raid at a military-style training facility last month during a joint operation between law enforcement agencies and the Department of Home Affairs. Police discovered drugs, contraband and military-grade weapons on the site but the group was facing a single charge of contravention of the Immigration Act. Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) director Manabela Chauke confirmed that the camp was not accredited. Home Affairs department confirmed that those arrested were in possession of fraudulent visas and had entered South Africa through Tunisia.