By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes (Hawks) have raided a suspected illegal military firearm training camp located in a farm in Modimolle, Limpopo.
Hawks, in collaboration with Public Order Police, the Local Criminal Record Centre, and the Tactical Response Team, conducted a sting operation at the farm after receiving a tip-off.
“The purpose of the training is not yet clear, but military-related training cannot be ruled out,” said Hawks spokesperson Lethunya Mmuroa.
He said licensed rifles, pistols, and ammunition were seized. It is believed these were used for training purposes.
“The manner in which the firearms and ammunition landed at the farm is still under investigation. No one was arrested,” said Mmuroa.
This comes after 95 Libyans were arrested at a suspected military training camp near White River, Mpumalanga, last month.
The Department of Home Affairs has since cancelled the visas of the 95 Libyans that were arrested, with Minister Leon Schreiber saying the visas were “acquired through misrepresentation” in Tunis, Tunisia.
The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) on Wednesday said the camp has been closed and the licence of the owner of the security company has been suspended.
PSIRA said it had initially inspected the farm and found the site compliant. However, PSIRA CEO Manabela Chauke said further investigations found a second training facility located a few kilometres away from the original one.
“The second [unaccredited] training facility is the same facility referred to as the illegal Libyan military training camp,” he said.
The camp was found on land owned by Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS).
On Monday, the 95 Libyans made their second appearance in the White River Magistrate’s Court. They are facing charges of contravening the Immigration Act. The case was postponed to 26 August.