South African police authorities have detained 95 Libyan nationals for questioning on suspicions that they have received training at a secret military camp. The police conducted a raid this morning on the alleged military camp, which is located on a farm in White River, Mpumalanga province.

“We are not arresting them at this time, but we are taking them in for questioning and will investigate any criminal activity,” said police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli. “The site was indicated as a training location for a security company, but it appears to be a military base,” he added, noting that the owner of the security company is a South African citizen.

Police reported that the operation leading to the detention of the Libyans and the closure of the camp’s activities began two days ago. TV footage from the scene showed a large police force outside the suspected camp, as well as green military-style tents and sandbags.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the Libyan nationals claimed they entered the country on student visas to train as security guards, but police investigations suggested they had received military training. It was not immediately clear whether the 95 individuals were affiliated with any specific group.

Libya remains troubled by conflict and civil war more than a decade after the NATO-supported ousting of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country is divided between the United Nations-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east. Although relative calm has prevailed in the oil-rich nation over the past four years, sporadic clashes between armed groups continue.

“We take any threat to the security and stability of our province and our country very seriously,” stated Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner for Mpumalanga. The investigation is “still ongoing,” his office remarked in a statement, emphasizing that there is no immediate threat to community safety.