By Everson Luhanga
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu visited a secret military training camp on Saturday.
The camp was discovered at a farm in White River, Mpumalanga, on Friday.
The minister and other high-profile officials, including two deputy ministers and the national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, briefed the media before touring the farm.
On Friday, 95 Libyan nationals who entered South Africa with visas acquired through misrepresentation in Tunisia were arrested. The suspects obtained visas under the pretence that they would be training as security guards in South Africa.
The police are now investigating the possibility of more illegal military training bases nationwide.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Minister Mchunu said the police were considering the existence of other similar camps. “From where we are, investigations are continuing, and we are not going to confine ourselves to what we have established now. We will expand our checks because this might be just one at this point, but if there is anything else we come across, we will follow it. We are conducting investigations,” he said.
The minister confirmed that the visa application process was violated and that this issue would be resolved. “While this facility is legal in terms of Psira processes, further scrutiny revealed non-compliance with the application,” he said.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi emphasised the importance of security and stability in the province and country. “We take any threat to the security and stability of our province and country very seriously. 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, which is our primary mandate,” he said.
Mkhwanazi added that the investigation is ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available. The SAPS assured the public that there was no immediate threat to community safety.
The suspects, who are also facing charges of being in the country illegally, will appear at Kabokweni Magistrate Court on Monday.
