Okay, here is what I have managed to do in templates_c/....user.tpl.nc.php

• I removed <?php if ($this->_tpl_vars['mod'] || $this->_tpl_vars['admin']): ?>
  
• and its corresponding <?php endif; ?> from 2 locations,
  
• and put it before the "table" and its endif at the table which displays the user-list

This made the user-list disappear for the users and is only visible to the "admin" and mods.

I am sure there might be a better solution because I would have to do this modification again if I upgrade / modify my MLF installation.