[imagesource:militesdeiacademy/facebook]

The South African Police Service (SAPS) raided what it claims to be a Libyan military training camp near White River in Mpumalanga, apprehending 95 people.

In a statement on Friday, the SAPS said the operation was carried out in conjunction with the ProvJOINT structure, including the Department of Home Affairs and other role players like Police Intelligence.

The raid followed after SAPS received intelligence information about a suspected camp where foreign military personnel received training in tactical weapons, manoeuvring in combat, room clearance, ambush, camouflage and concealment.

The Milites Dei Academy is located on a farm just outside of White River, where the Libyan nationals managed to go undetected, even digging an elaborate network of trenches and bunkers. The academy is part of Milites Dei Security Services (Pty) Ltd, an accredited security service provider that is also registered to provide security training according to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

Although initially designated a ‘training site’, it appears to have been converted into a full-on military training base according to Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi.

“We take any threat to the security and stability of our province and country very seriously,” said Mkhwanazi. “This operation demonstrates our commitment to acting swiftly and decisively against any activities that could undermine our national interests and ensure the safety of our citizens because that is our primary mandate.”

According to ENCA, the Libyans claimed in their visa applications that they were travelling to South Africa to train as security guards.

At this point, it is unclear if the Libyan nationals are in South Africa for security training, as mercenaries, or to help one of the North African nation’s competing regimes. Defenceweb notes that Libya slid into turmoil following Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in a NATO-backed rebellion in 2011, and is now divided between competing governments in the east and west, with Khalifa Haftar governing the east and the Government of National Accord (GNA) managing the west.

Either way, this appears to have been a not-so-secret base, complete with an Instagram account filled with cool videos.

 

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A post shared by Milites Dei Academy (@milites_dei_academy)

Although the company’s website and social media pages advertise security training offerings, including VIP protection, anti-poaching, dog handling and general and specialist security practices, the setup screams ‘military training’. If it walks like a military training base and talks like a military training base, it likely is a military training base.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu seems to agree.

“All indications here, are pointing to this being more of a military training facility than an ordinary security training centre. That is certain.”

We have just concluded a walkabout of the site where an illegal military training base was established. 95 foreign nationals, all Libyan citizens, have been arrested. Thorough investigations by various law enforcement agencies are underway @SAPoliceService @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/PRvg0swjSj

— Senzo Mchunu (@Senzo_Mchunu_) July 27, 2024

Whatever was happening at the base, people from the local villages say they have known about the training grounds for a while now, and even reported an increase in local crime ever since the Libyan ‘security’ camp opened up.

Community members told News24 that the members frequented local taverns and there had been an increase in cell phone theft since they started trenching in the bush. The soldiers/security guards have also been roaming around the nearby villages in groups, harassing people and ‘behaving in an almost arrogant manner’.

Well, at least SAPS caught on before the Libyans set up an airfield stocked with bombers, but the base does indeed raise some serious questions about South Africa’s border and national security.

The US Treasury Department also announced sanctions against two alleged ISIS agents in South Africa – Abubakar Swalleh, described as a “South Africa- and Zambia-based ISIS operative”, and Zayd Gangat, “a South Africa-based ISIS facilitator and trainer”.

The Libyan nationals who were arrested will now likely be facing criminal charges of contravening the Immigration Act.

[source:defenceweb&news24]