The perplexing case of how a facility legally registered and run by an accredited security training provider became an illegal military training camp for undocumented Libyans has raised serious concerns in South Africa. The recent raid, which led to the arrest of 95 Libyans, highlights issues of weak border controls and possible immigration corruption, turning the country into a potential haven for terrorists.
Adding to the unease, recent reports suggest that some individuals within South Africa may be funding the rising Islamist insurgencies on the continent. This situation is troubling for South Africa, which already faces a high level of violent crime.
On Friday, law enforcement and other agencies, including the Department of Home Affairs, uncovered the suspected military training camp in White River, located in the Eastern Mpumalanga province. It remains unclear how the Libyans were assigned to this facility or how they acquired their visas. The suspects are charged with violating the Immigration Act.
This situation suggests that the Libyans entered South Africa without detection, revealing issues with the country’s porous borders and the role of corrupt officials who facilitate illegal entry.
When South African Police Service (SAPS) detectives arrived at the farm, they discovered the Libyans living in military tents, along with military training equipment and licensed firearms. Additionally, dagga and cocaine were found during the operation.
Senzo Mchunu, the newly-appointed Minister of Police, stated that while the facility’s application met the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) standards, there is a significant discrepancy between the application and the actual use of the site.
The identity of the facility’s applicant will be disclosed as investigations continue.
White River is located 15 km north of the provincial capital, Mbombela (Nelspruit). The possibility of connections to criminal syndicates or terrorist cells is being explored. Libya, the North African country, has been in turmoil since the fall and death of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
When asked whether there might be other camps similar to the one in White River, Mchunu responded, “We will not limit ourselves to what we’ve found so far. We are expanding our investigations.”
The White River camp came to light after local residents reported a rise in serious crimes, including rape, burglary, shootings, and drug trafficking.
Recently, the United States imposed sanctions on several individuals based in South Africa for their involvement in financing ISIS activities in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. Among those sanctioned is Abubakar Swalleh, identified by the US as an ISIS operative based in South Africa and Zambia, allegedly responsible for transferring funds from South Africa to the DRC and facilitating the movement of ISIS-affiliated individuals between Uganda and South Africa. Swalleh is also accused of participating in robberies and kidnappings in South Africa.
Another individual, Zayd Gangat, was sanctioned by the US as an ISIS facilitator and trainer based in South Africa. According to the US Treasury, ISIS leaders in South Africa have historically used robbery, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom to fund their activities.
South Africa is currently facing a rise in kidnappings. Last Thursday, police rescued two Chinese nationals who had been abducted in Bramley, Johannesburg, reportedly after a ransom of R20,000 (US$1,092) was paid. On the same day, a prominent local businessman held for about six days was freed in Gqebera, Eastern Cape, following a ransom payment of R10,000.
In 2023, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylisted South Africa for failing to fully comply with international standards on preventing money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
