Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
10 August 2024 | 16:24 CAT

A suspected firearm training facility was uncovered in Modimolle, Limpopo. (Image/Supplied/Hawks- News24)

Police are investigating after a suspected firearm training facility was discovered on a farm in Modimolle in Limpopo. This follows the recent discovery of a suspected military training base in White River in Mpumalanga, which led to the arrest of 95 Libyan nationals.

Officers, in a swift and coordinated effort with public order policing and a tactical response team, pounced on the farm after receiving a tip-off about a suspicious training camp.

“The purpose of the training is not yet clear, but military-related training cannot be ruled out,” said Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa.

After receiving a tip-off, the Hawks, in a successful collaboration with Public Order Police, the Local Criminal Record Centre, and the Tactical Response Team, conducted a sting operation at the farm.

Mmuroa said the team seized several licensed rifles, a pistol, and ammunition.

“The manner in which firearms and ammunition landed at the farm is still under investigation. No one was arrested,” Mmuroa added.

The facility was discovered two weeks after police uncovered a suspected military training base in White River, Mpumalanga. This base, which was found to be training foreign nationals, led to the arrest of 95 Libyan nationals.

The Department of Home Affairs has since cancelled the visas of the 95 Libyans who were arrested, with Minister Leon Schreiber saying the visas were “acquired through misrepresentation” in Tunis, Tunisia.

On Wednesday, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) said the camp had been closed, and the licence of the security company’s owner had been suspended.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Suhaib Lasanya and Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa here.