The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has noted with disbelief the withdrawal of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) charges against 95 Libyan citizens who received military-style training, just outside the town of White River in Mpumalanga, despite police finding military grade weapons, ammunition, drugs and contraband at the site.
The 95 Libyans, who were illegally in the country, faced a single charge of contravening the South African Immigration Act.
In its investigation, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) found that the military-style training camp was run illegally and that the instructors at the facility were not accredited. Suspension letters were later issued by PSIRA to the owners of the camp (Milites Dei Security Services).
In a prior statement on the matter, the ACDP called on the NPA and other government departments to ensure that serious action followed and that these men, including the owners of the camp, who so effortlessly contravened our immigration, border control, and national security laws and policies, faced the full might of the law.
With the Libyan’s now facing deportation within around 48 hours (as announced by the NPA and the Department of Home Affairs on Thursday), the ACDP questions if there is a cover-up at play.
The ACDP believes that the evidence found and gathered at the camp, including the investigation done by PSIRA which revealed astonishing findings, was sufficient to present a strong and sustainable case. If our criminal justice system is incapable of convicting illegal immigrants when there is clear evidence of wrongdoing and evidence of explicit contravention of our immigration laws, they are failing miserably at protecting South Africans. It is reported that despite illegal and illicit materials being found at the camp in Mpumalanga, ‘operations continue uninterrupted’. This must be investigated and if true, action must be taken swiftly.
The ACDP calls on the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, to review the merits of this case and to explain the rationale behind the NPA’s decision to withdraw the charges against the 95 Libyans who are now off the hook. This is after they allegedly demanded to be deported despite there being, in our view, sufficient evidence to prosecute. Deporting them is akin to treating them with kids gloves.
The NPA, State Security, Police, and Home Affairs have once again showcased their incompetence and inability to work together to successfully secure convictions against those found guilty of breaking South Africa’s laws with impunity.
