The State has withdrawn all charges against one of the accused in the 2023 Killarney gem heist involving precious stones valued at R14.9 million.
Businessman Etienne van der Walt appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday alongside his co-accused for the continuation of bail proceedings when the prosecution confirmed that the charges against him had been withdrawn.
Van der Walt had been arrested with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer Adrian MacKenzie and former EMPD officer Kersha-Leigh Stohls in connection with the alleged theft of the gemstones.
His attorney, Peter Jay, confirmed that the decision followed legal representations made to the National Prosecuting Authority on Van der Walt's behalf.
Jay said the State had accepted those representations and withdrawn the charges against his client.
He added that Van der Walt is considering taking legal action against the State following his arrest and prosecution.
The criminal case against the remaining accused continues in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court.