The 270 South African miners accused of killing 34 colleagues shot by police last month are to be freed following public fury.

Astonishingly, the striking workers had been charged under a doctrine once used by the former white minority apartheid regime against black activists fighting for democracy.

But after political parties, activists and even South Africa's justice minister criticised the outrageous decision to hold the miners responsible for the massacre, prosecutors buckled under pressure and announced the charges would be dropped for now. However, they cannot be dismissed formally until the end of the inquiry.

The episode is a disturbing sign for justice and the rule of law in South Africa, which for years has acted as one of the strongest examples of African democracy.

Learn more: CNN has an interesting insight from a South African legal expert on why the case was bound to fail, and questioning the political motives behind bringing it.

Sources: Avaaz, Guardian, BBC, CNN