Libyans arrested: Nothing more than a conventional warfare training camp, says expert
Experts weigh in on the alleged military training camp that was uncovered in Mpumalanga.
Nothing more than a conventional warfare training camp.
This is how a well-known security expert described the now world-notorious base of the Milites Dei training centre.
This training centre made headlines worldwide when 95 Libyan nationals, who had seemingly entered the country under the cover of student visas, were arrested during a police raid. A number of questions remain unanswered, an important one being: How was it only discovered now, while the Libyan nationals had reportedly been in training at the facility for the past three months?
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Details about training camp revealed
The farm on which the military-style base is situated is in the Peebles Valley on the R538 between White River and Hazyview.
This valley is part of the Jock of the Bushveld Conservancy and the base, with its head office, Sanderson House, is in a well-secluded area. It belongs to the Buys family.
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“If one looks at the picture evidence that was taken of the base, nothing indicates that this is a normal security guard training centre,” says Lowvelder’s source, who spoke to this publication on the strict condition of anonymity. This security expert, a former Lowvelder, is a well-trained soldier and served as a colonel in the former SADF. During his military career, he received specialised training in conventional and urban warfare and rural counterinsurgency (COIN) operations.
“The layout of the base, with double-storey container buildings and high-rise towers all painted in camouflage colours, zig-zag trenches, green military tents and well-placed sandbags should raise eyebrows to exactly what training was done,” the source said.
‘Porous borders a threat to SA’
The mock-up buildings are apparently used to train combatants in the art of penetrating buildings, something which an ordinary security guard never does.
In a video that Lowvelder discovered on Milites Dei’s Facebook page, it can be seen how the trainees are taught building penetration. The video, which was published in July, features what seem to be some of the Libyan nationals as trainees.
This can, however, not be said with certainty.
“Trenches are an indication of a well-executed defence type of warfare. A soldier in a trench is one of the most difficult aspects to bridge in warfare,” Lowvelder’s source said.
Ironically, a number of years ago, former Lowvelder editor De Wet Potgieter published an article warning readers about the porous borders of the republic. He said this is a threat that makes it easy for terrorist organisations using the N4 via the Lebombo Border and onwards to Mbombela as a route to gain entry into the country.
“At the time I made it clear, based on ongoing investigations I’m doing for my next book, that the city, with the apparent assistance of corrupt government officials, is used as a springboard for organisations such as ISIS M [ISIS Mozambique], Al-Qaeda and others to get a foothold in the country,” Potgieter told Lowvelder this week.
A source within the crime intelligence fraternity in the city, who also wished to remain anonymous, confirmed to Lowvelder that information about the illegal training camp came to light about two weeks ago.
This information led to a rushed undercover investigation, which culminated in the sting operation last Friday.
‘A major embarrassment for South Africa’
The source believes the leak about the camp did not come from unhappy community members as was claimed. “We believe permission to provide the Libyans with training came from much higher sources within the government.”
The Department of Home Affairs, with Dr Leon Schreiber as minister, said the Libyans’ visas were immediately cancelled and they would be deported as soon as the investigations are complete.
ALSO READ: 95 Libyans appear in White River Magistrate’s Court
“This situation is a major international embarrassment for South Africa,” said Potgieter.
“Especially in view of countries such as the USA which previously supplied intelligence to the South African authorities to warn about these threats.”
During the raid, numerous weapons that were used for training were found. Rumours doing the rounds that illegal firearms and explosives had been discovered, were found to be untrue, as confirmed by a forensic expert and explosive specialist with in-depth knowledge of the investigation.
Chris Botha of AIM Training Academy in White River, who is closely involved in security and weapons training, said he was concerned when the base was uncovered and immediately enquired about its training status.
“I can confirm that they had all the necessary accreditations to train security guards. I had a memorandum of understanding [MoU] with Milites Dei previously while they were waiting for their accreditation. However, the MoU was never extended, and for the past four years, I had no involvement or contact with them,” he said.
He did not want to elaborate on the merits of the matter.
In the meantime, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) confirmed in a statement that the Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS) was instructed to immediately cease all training at the facility.
According to them, the training conducted at MDSS was unlawful as it went beyond the scope of security industry training.
Amareza Buys, campus manager of Milites Dei, said they are co-operating with the investigation and have no further comment to make.
The 95 suspects appeared briefly in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 29, and the case was postponed to August 12 for further investigations and to obtain the services of a qualified translator.
They remain in custody.
About Milites Dei
Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS) is a registered security training establishment situated in the Peebles area about 20km outside the town.
It is registered with Psira as well as the Safety and Security, Sector Education and Training Authority (Sasseta) to give basic security guard training.
According to its website, it also supplies military-style training courses, which according to security exerts go over and above the ordinary security training for security guards.
The website makes no secret of the specialised training, such as building clearance, abseiling from high buildings, and basic army and special forces style training. MDSS claims the military-style training courses are suitable as a bridging gap year or as a mere adventure.
It said, however, that the training provided is thorough training for the security industry.
The training centre, as well as the farm on which it is situated, belongs to Bardo Buys. The staff working for MDSS, according to its social media pages, are Barney Buys (site manager), security guard director Bardo Buys and patrol masters Moses Keletso, Johan de Waal and Bradli Smit.
The head tactical trainer and security risk specialist is also Barney, the campus manager and educations specialist is Amareza Buys, the administration executive is Linette de Beer.
The cost of training ranges between R30 000 and R50 000 for a three-month course.
*This article has been amended. In the printed version, Lowvelder reported that Rochelle Buys was the marketing director for MDSS, as was indicated on MDSS’s website. However, Buys denied this and informed Lowvelder she was no longer working for the institution.
