THE State has withdrawn charges against eight of the 21 members of the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association and Blackwatch armed guards, arrested at KwaDukuza on 29 January after a shoot-out with police.
The defense has submitted representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), to motivate the withdrawal of charges against another four to six accused, but the outcome of the decision is pending.
The trial was remanded until Thursday for a decision.
The Hawks in January conducted a raid at a residence shared by members of the taxi association and guards hired to protect them.
The operation, joined by KwaDukuza SAPS and the Durban Harbour Tactical Response Team, resulted in the accused being charged with attempted murder, obstructing police officers and being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Defence attorney Yolanda Gielink argued during bail application that the guards mistakenly believed they were under attack by a rival association and fired in self-defence. This was after three previous ambushes and the traumatic loss of a fellow guard.
She said they stopped firing when they realised the fleet of unmarked vehicles were in fact those of the SAPS and Hawks.
Seven licenced Blackwatch semi-automatic rifles have since been released by the police.
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