A group of 95 Libyans deported from South Africa last month were undergoing training to become special forces for a Libyan military commander, according to whistleblowers.
The training was being conducted in a camp near the town of White River, contrary to the official claim that they were there for security guard training.
The Libyans were receiving military instruction under the command of Khalifa Haftar, a powerful military leader who controls the oil-rich eastern region of Libya.
The training included combat drills, sniper training, parachuting, and sea survival techniques.
The whistleblowers provided evidence to local media, including pictures and videos of the men in camouflage uniforms engaging in military exercises.
The training camp was raided by South African police in July, and the Libyans were subsequently detained and deported.
South African authorities have launched an investigation into the matter, as offering military training to foreign nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict is illegal under the country’s Foreign Military Assistance Act.
The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority is also examining whether the owners of the training camp violated any South African regulations.