Home Affairs Dept plans to deport 95 Libyan nationals following case withdrawal
On Thursday, the State withdrew its case against the group after failing to present enough evidence to keep them behind bars.
The National Prosecuting Authority will move ahead with the prosecution of 95 Libyan officials, on charges of contravening the Immigration Act. Screengrab.
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Home Affairs plans to deport the 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested at an illegal military camp in Mpumalanga.
On Thursday, the State withdrew its case against the group after failing to present enough evidence to keep them behind bars.
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They were all facing a charge of contravening the Immigration Act before the White River Magistrates Court but have now instead been ordered to immediately return to Libya.
The Department of Home Affairs said since the discovery of the farm in July, deportation of the 95 Libyans was always on the cards.
It has since welcomed the decision by the director of public prosecutions in Mpumalanga to withdraw the case, saying processes are underway.
Through a statement issued on Thursday, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said he instructed the department officials to proceed with speed, while observing all the legal processes to ensure that the deportations were conducted swiftly.
Meanwhile, police continue to probe one of the instructors believed to have been training the group while they were in the country.