Local mining tycoon George van der Merwe has been released without any formal charges against him.
He was arrested on Thursday, 12 February, near Ladismith in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, on intimidation-related allegations.
Heavily armed police, stormed his Waterfront home in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Monday, 9 February, but Van der Merwe was out of town at the time.
His attorney later described the show of force as ‘excessive’ and questioned the involvement of Gauteng-based police, in what was described as a bungled arrest.
News of Van der Merwe’s imminent arrest leaked, resulting in a fake “wanted” poster circulating widely on social media.
SAPS has denied any involvement in the poster and labelled it fraudulent.
On Wednesday, 18 February, a Gauteng magistrate struck the matter from the roll after Van der Merwe’s relocation to the province was not expedited.
He spent nearly six days in custody.
Van der Merwe has not yet commented publicly.
In an exclusive interview with Van der Merwe shortly before his arrest, he denied allegations that he had threatened mining rivals or their families with death or violence.
He has since maintained his innocence during follow-up engagements between the Observer and Veralogix.
