NPA drops case against 95 Libyans arrested at illegal military training camp in Mpumalanga
In a turn of events, all of the charges against the 95 Libyan nationals were withdrawn on Thursday.
95 Libyans arrested in Mpumalanga, South Africa, for contravening the Immigration Act. Picture: Eyewitness News
MPUMALANGA - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn its case against 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested in connection with an illegal military training camp in White River, Mpumalanga.
The suspects made their third appearance at the White River Magistrates Court on Thursday, where the director of public prosecutions requested that the court withdraw the matter.
In July, a specialised team comprising police and Home Affairs officials arrested the group on a farm in White River, which was also an illegal military camp.
Police discovered drugs, contraband and military-grade weapons on the site.
In a turn of events, all the charges against the 95 Libyan nationals were withdrawn on Thursday.
The group was facing a single charge of contravention of the Immigration Act and was handed over to the Home Ace department as they awaited deportation.
An urgent notice was sent out to both the defence and the accused persons to appear before the White River Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Defence lawyer Nico Du Plessis said they welcome the NPA’s withdrawal of charges.
"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the 26th of August, we made representations to the direct of public prosecutions of Mpumalanga that the matter must be withdrawn.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."
Although illegal and illicit materials were found on the farm, operations continue uninterrupted.