At least 95 Libyans discovered at a suspected military facility in northeastern South Africa in July will be repatriated to their home country on Sunday.
According to South Africa’s Home Affairs Ministry, the Libyans, all men, have been in police custody since July 26 after police raided the isolated camp near the town of White River, situated approximately 360 kilometres (220 miles) to the east of Johannesburg.
“They are scheduled to leave South Africa from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport this morning in a flight that has been paid for by the Libyan Government,” the Home Affairs ministry said in a statement.
Authorities say the individuals arrived in South Africa in April with visas for security guard training, but law enforcement believed they were undergoing military instruction. The government invalidated the visas due to misrepresentation.
“I commend the Home Affairs officials and other law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to ensure an expeditious deportation,” the department’s minister, Leon Schreiber, said in a statement.
At first, the group was accused of breaking immigration regulations. Their legal proceedings were delayed for additional inquiry, and officials did not rule out further charges.
However, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority dismissed the case on Thursday due to insufficient evidence.
“We will continue to deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that the country’s immigration laws are respected and observed,” Schreiber said.