95 Libyan nationals set to be deported

Magistrate Edward Hall of the White River Magistrate’s Court has granted the withdrawal of the criminal charge of contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 against the 95 Libyan nationals arrested during a raid at the Milites Dei Security Services training centre outside White River on July 26.

Although the accused were scheduled to appear in court on August 26 for further investigation, their legal representative, Advocate Nico du Plessis, stated that they appeared in court today to hear the outcome of the application to withdraw the case made to the acting director of Public Prosecutions.

“We made representations to the acting director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga that the matter should be withdrawn, and yesterday, we were informed to be in court today. All the individuals are relieved and happy that they can finally go home. As far as we know, there are no other outstanding matters. The Department of Home Affairs is arranging their deportation to Benghazi, Libya, which is expected within the next 48 hours,” said Du Plessis.

Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, said the state withdrew the case due to insufficient evidence for a conviction. “The docket was reviewed, and the representations made by the defence were considered in the decision to withdraw the charges, as the evidence was not sufficient to secure a conviction.”