The group of struggle war veterans accused of holding hostage Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise, her deputy Thabang Makwetla and Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele has been left off the hook.
Last year in October the group allegedly held the three officials hostage when they arrived to discuss their demands for millions of rand in reparations for their role in the liberation struggle.
The group comprising the Liberation Struggle War Veterans, Azanian Peoples Liberation Army and Azanian National Liberation Army refused to let the officials in a bid to press for an audience with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
However, the group became rowdy when they were instead promised a meeting with Deputy President David Mabuza.
Special forces and police officers had to be deployed to enable the officials to leave St. Georges Hotel the venue of the meeting. As a result, the struggle war veterans were arrested, charged and released on bail.
On Tuesday the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) said: “The case against the 53 liberation struggle war veterans has been withdrawn, the group appeared at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court earlier today.”
The NPA added: “The matter was withdrawn after the defence made representations to the Director of Public Prosecution in Gauteng Division.
“Since the trial is not proceeding, the R500 bail paid to secure the veterans attendance in court will be reimbursed to them.”
