The drug-related charges against Golden Lions wing Rayno Benjamin were withdrawn in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Senior prosecutor Pieter Erasmus said Benjamin’s statement was accepted as ”reasonably, possibly true” and thus the charges against him were withdrawn.
Benjamin’s attorney, Boela van der Merwe, said: ”From day one Rayno defended his innocence and no one doubted his honesty and integrity.”
Golden Lions flyhalf Earl Rose, Benjamin and two others, Chatna Cloete and Heinrich Gordon, were arrested at a flat in Fontainebleau, Randburg, on January 31.
At the time the Golden Lions Rugby Union said in a statement: ”Reports this morning were incorrect in stating that both Earl Rose and Rayno Benjamin were allegedly dealing in drugs.
”Rose was charged but never appeared in court, and neither of the two were accused of dealing in drugs, but with possession of a schedule-five substance.
”Benjamin denies the allegations against him and has no knowledge of being in possession of the alleged schedule-five substance. It would appear that the substance was planted in his flat.” — Sapa