Secret “security” training camp in Mpumalanga operated illegally

The national Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) is said to be in the process of deregistering Milites Dei Security Services (MDSS), which owns the secret military training camp in White River, Mpumalanga.

This is after PSIRA Director, Manabela Chauke, confirmed that the camp had been operating illegally.

Chauke briefed the media on Wednesday about the preliminary findings of their investigation into the operations at the clandestine camp. It is where 95 Libyan nationals were arrested last month.

Chauke pointed out several irregularities in the operations of the camp, most notably that it was never accredited by PSIRA.

It also found that the training offered at the camp deviated from the standard security training services offered in South Africa – both in the programme and duration of the training.

“The duration of the training programs conducted by MDSS took longer than our local security training programs. The nature of the training included extensive physical activities with military-styled structures and aids.”

He says the investigation also uncovered that the instructors at the facility were not accredited, and that they used military ranks, which further confirmed the nature of the camp.

“The standards of the training that was offered was foreign or adopted from other countries. No local security grades training such as the accredited was offered at the Libyan Military training camp.”

And while Chauke said that MDSS has thus far been compliant with its investigation, he noted that the owners and personnel were in violation of several criminal statutes. He added that it is now considering criminal charges and formal prosecution of all those involved in the matter.

[WATCH] Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) director Manabela Chauke delivers the preliminary report of investigations into an illegal military camp disguised as a security training facility in White River, Mpumalanga. He says they will prefer criminal charges… pic.twitter.com/djLmJcICHb
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 7, 2024

Chauke noted that it is concerning that the operations at the camp were able to go ahead in secret. This is after confirming that a routine PSIRA inspection was conducted at the MDSS premises 11 months ago, where an accredited facility was checked. He says the Libyan military camp (which was not accredited) was located near to the accredited facility.

“The investigation discovered a second training facility located 7.5km away from the original accredited facility.”

The briefing comes after the 95 Libyan nationals made another court appearance at the White River Magistrates Court on Monday. They are charged with visa misrepresentation and contravening the Immigration Act. They are back in court on 26 August, and until then the National Prosecuting Authority is investigating whether further charges should be added to their case.