Durban - Crimen injuria charges against KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Chiman Patel have been withdrawn in the Durban Regional Court, SABC News reported on Thursday.
According to the report, Patel made a brief appearance before acting Regional Court President Sharon Marks on Thursday morning.
Prosecutor Barend Groen told the court he had been instructed by the provincial office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) to withdraw the charge against Patel.
Groen said he had not been briefed on what grounds the charge was being withdrawn, SABC reported.
Patel's lawyer said the decision to prosecute him had not been based on an honest intention, but had rather been aimed at humiliating and treating him like a common criminal.
He said this would not be the end of the matter.
Marks ordered the transcript of the proceedings to be investigated and said she would personally lodge a complaint with the NDPP.
Patel was charged with crimen injuria after he allegedly swore at a clerk in his chambers last year when he reprimanded the clerk, SABC reported.
Sapa