AfriForum calls for investigation into militant group in Mpumalanga
Blatant corruption should not endanger South African lives
The recent revelations from the Open Borders documentary series produced by AfriForum, coupled with the shocking events surrounding the Milites Dei Security Services’ (MDSS) illegal military camp in Mpumalanga, highlight a dangerous level of incompetence and corruption within the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and other government agencies. In light of this AfriForum, therefore calls for an urgent independent investigation into the allegations surrounding the Milites Dei military camp.
The discovery of 95 Libyan nationals, allegedly affiliated with the militant group “Brigade 20/20”, undergoing military training at an illegal facility in White River, is a glaring example of the government’s inability to protect South Africa’s national security. These individuals entered the country on supposed “study visas” that were apparently illegally issued by the South African Embassy in Tunis, further underscoring the rampant corruption within these departments and its foreign missions.
According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, the civil rights organisation is particularly alarmed by the apparent complicity of South African officials in facilitating the entry of these militants. The issuance of fraudulent visas not only undermines the integrity of the country’s immigration system but also poses a direct threat to the safety and security of South African citizens. The fact that these Libyan nationals were able to enter and operate within South Africa with such ease is a damning example of the government’s failure to enforce its own laws and secure its borders.
“Despite the arrest and subsequent deportation of these individuals, AfriForum questions the adequacy of the government’s response. The charges against the men were inexplicably withdrawn, raising serious questions about the influence of corruption and the lack of accountability within the justice system,” says Broodryk.
AfriForum therefore demands a full, transparent, and independent investigation into the issuance of these fraudulent visas and the broader failure of border control in South Africa. This investigation must not be politically motivated but rather involve civil rights organisations to ensure that all those responsible for this grave breach of national security are held accountable.
Furthermore, AfriForum calls on the government to:
- Improve border control: Implement immediate measures to secure South Africa’s borders and prevent the illegal entry of individuals who may pose a threat to national security.
- Address corruption: Conduct a thorough audit of the DHA and its foreign missions to root out corruption and ensure that all immigration processes are conducted with the highest level of integrity.
- Enhance accountability: Ensure that those responsible for the issuance of fraudulent visas and the failure to secure the country’s borders are held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.
The safety and security of South Africa and its citizens cannot be compromised. AfriForum urges the government to take decisive action to restore public confidence in the country’s border control and protect the nation from the growing threats posed by illegal immigration, corruption and militant groups.
