Johnathan Paoli
THE Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) has confirmed that investigations into the illegal military camp, which housed the 95 Libyan foreign nationals, revealed a specific military purpose not in line with security training regulations.
PSIRA director Manabela Chauke delivered the preliminary report on Wednesday and said the camp, run by Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS) despite being disguised as a security training facility was unaccredited and employed instructors using military ranks.
“The design and the layout of the Libyan camp supported military style training. There were no authorisation agreements or exceptions granted to MDSS by the National Regulator for Conventional Arms Control to provide military training,” Chauke said.
This stands in notable contrast to what the Libyan nationals have been claiming in court, who have maintained their innocence, and said they came to South Africa to train as security guards.
Chauke said the security service provider, and its owners had been served with notices of suspension, following the revelation of a second camp which was not registered under the company name.
He said the company contravened the Code of Conduct for the Private Security providers and violated various criminal statutes.
Chauke said the next step is a consideration of charges and the formal prosecution of the service provider and the individuals involved and added that the authority remains open to levelling additional charges against the company and owners.
“Of course we will also prefer criminal charges against them,” he said.
The Libyan government on the other hand has condemned the individuals for lying in their visa applications and pledged to assist the South African authorities in resolving the issue and to support the suspects both diplomatically and legally.
In a letter addressed to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the Libyan government said it would cooperate and contribute to the investigations surrounding the potentially diplomatic scandal.
“The GNU has tasked its military prosecutor and the Libyan embassy to SA to communicate with the relevant authorities in Johannesburg to follow up on the circumstances of this case, stressing our readiness to participate in the investigations to uncover its circumstances and the parties behind it, while ensuring the safety of the detained citizens and their treatment in accordance with the relevant international agreements and procedures,” the letter read.
In addition, the identity of the funders behind the trip is also inspected to be investigated.
Initial reports have suggested that the Libyans flew from Benghazi, Libya to Tunis, Tunisia where they subsequently applied and obtained visas to study in South Africa.
Despite initial rumours concerning a Libyan businessman, no official details have been confirmed.
Following their arrest on the property in White River, Mpumalanga last week, the Libyan nationals have made two court appearances with Magistrate Eddie Hall postponing the matter for further investigations.
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