Owner of facility that trained Libyans says everything was above board

The owner of the Mpumalanga “military-style” training camp where 95 Libyans were arrested says they were legally enrolled in a legitimate course, but trouble arose because the local community took against them.

“Everything was done right,” said Barney Buys, who has run Milites Dei Academy near White River since 2015.

“They [the Libyans] were here legally. They had study permits, visas and everything. The problem began when the community started complaining about them. They went to the police and complained, and that is when the problems began.” 

Buys said he trained security guards in tactical response skills.

“We train people who work in the tactical units of different security companies across the country. People come from all over to get training [here]. We are the best at what we do.”

On its website, the academy says it “specialises in military training style programmes”, including SWAT courses.

The camp is situated on Peebles Farm, deep in the bush at the top of a hill, 6km from the R538 between White River and Hazyview. Along the gravel road leading to the farm are charity organisations, a clinic, lodges, macadamia nut farms and private homes.

Police raided the camp 10 days ago at about 5am, arresting 95 Libyans receiving what police said was military training. The men had arrived in South Africa via OR Tambo International Airport in April.

On Monday, the men — aged between 20 and 41 — appeared in the White River magistrate’s court on charges of making misrepresentations in their visa applications.

The state alleges they falsified information when applying for visas, obtaining study permits to train as security guards, but instead received military training.

The case was postponed to tomorrow for an interpreter. The department of home affairs has suspended their “irregularly” obtained visas.

Buys spoke to the Sunday Times briefly on his farm this week.

“I have been told not to talk to anyone until the Libyans are gone. What I can tell you is that we produce the best security guards. Ours don’t just read and write exams — they do practical security training. We are the best. We supply people who work in tactical units in the security industry across the country.”

The community simply did not like them. They did not understand what they were here for. I think it created anxiety among residents, and hence they complained to the police

—  Police officer, Masoyi police station

Buys said he had shut down the part of his operations where the Libyans had been trained, in accordance with instructions from the police, but said other training was still taking place. As he spoke, a small group of men were parading nearby.

Various locals told the Sunday Times the Libyans’ presence had sparked much anxiety in the community, with some residents unaware of why they were there.

Many blamed the Libyans for an increase in crime. There have been reports they were accused of raping local women, but no-one could provide details of such rapes.

A senior officer at the local Masoyi police station said no-one had laid formal charges against any of the Libyans. 

“The community simply did not like them,” the officer said. “They did not understand what they were here for. I think it created anxiety among residents and hence they complained to the police.”

A security guard at one of the charity organisations in Peebles Valley said that when the Libyans arrived they initially stayed at a tourist lodge in the vicinity for about three weeks.

“They came with Libyan dinars, but none of the shops around here could use that currency. They then began trading their clothes for cigarettes and weed [marijuana]. They would go as far as Masoyi, bartering their clothes,” the security guard said.

In Masoyi, several residents told the Sunday Times they did not want the Libyans around. 

A nurse at a clinic run by Africa School of Missions in Peebles Valley said she had known the Buys family for a long time. 

“They are good people. They train people who want to become security guards, and they do a good job. The problem is the Libyans. They came here needing medical help. They were rude, disrespectful and difficult. They would simply go into the office and make coffee without our permission. 

“The Libyans are the problem, not the Buys family,” the nurse said. 

But at one of the taverns where they used to drink, a worker called Sonto said they had not caused any problems.

“They would come in groups of four or five and buy the small vodka that costs R20. After purchasing the vodka, they spent about 10 minutes drinking it and then they would leave. They did not interact with anyone at the tavern. I would be lying if I said they caused trouble.”

There are a lot people who trespass on properties here to steal. The security guards would patrol to keep our area safe

—  Palesa Pule, programme manager at The Seed of Hope

Palesa Pule, programme manager at The Seed of Hope, a nonprofit organisation that works with young people on Peebles Farm, close to the training camp, said she had seen the Libyans about two weeks ago.

“I did not know it was them. They were doing physical training along the road. I only realised when the stories broke that the men I had seen jogging were actually not from South Africa,” Pule said.

She said she had known the Milites Dei Academy for years as a facility that trained security guards. 

“We normally chat with them on WhatsApp. They inform us every time they release their security guards to patrol the area at night. There are a lot people who trespass on properties here to steal. The security guards would patrol to keep our area safe,” Pule said.

This week, police minister Senzo Mchunu was adamant the Libyans had been receiving military training, saying the camp had “distinctive characteristics” that made it a military training facility.

However, Mchunu was unable to comment on media reports the arrested men were part of a group affiliated with the Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who controls territory in the east of the divided country.

Mchunu said police investigations were still under way and the Libyans would not be immediately deported.

- Additional reporting by Thapelo Morebudi and Isaac Mahlangu