Case against 95 Libyan nationals arrested at illegal military camp postponed

JOHANNESBURG - The case against 95 Libyan nationals arrested at an illegal military camp in Mpumalanga has been postponed in order to request the services of an Arabic speaking interpreter.

All 95 suspects made their first court appearance in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

They are facing charges of contravention of the Immigration Act after the validity of their visa applications came into question.

On Friday a multi-disciplinary police team raided a secluded farm in White River and arrested the suspects.

One of the two court rooms available at the court was packed on Monday with well over a hundred people attending the proceedings.

Magistrate EPJ Hall heard from the prosecution Advocate Martin Britz who introduced all the suspects before requesting an adjournment to allow for the court to bring in an interpreter.

"I would request that we lay down for the services of an interpreter that is fluent in the Arabic language."

The suspects who are remanded in custody without their visas and will return to the same court next week Monday.