Charges against alleged gang high-flyer Quinton Marinus — known on the Cape Flats as ”Mr Big” — were withdrawn on Wednesday when he and two co-accused appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court. No reasons were given for the withdrawal.
The arrest of the threesome on March 29 was seen as a major breakthrough in the fight against organised crime.
Marinus (37) was in the dock with Clayton Marinus (18) and Shaun Linden (27) before magistrate Theo Marx.
The charge sheet gave their address as Plattekloof, an upmarket suburb adjoining Durbanville Hills in the Western Cape.
All three had faced charges of possession of an unspecified explosive device, the illegal possession of a firearm and possession of drugs.
They were arrested in what police spokesperson Bernadine Steyn had described as a ”police intelligence-driven operation” in Plattekloof.
She said the arrests followed the recent conviction in the Cape High Court of eight members of the Fancy Boys gang on charges that included racketeering, housebreaking and armed robbery.
Prosecutors would not comment after Wednesday’s brief proceedings.
Marinus still faces multiple charges, including racketeering in another case in the Cape High Court. — Sapa