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Johannesburg — Legendary jazz musician Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse walked out of the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court a free man yesterday after the assault and kidnapping case against him was struck off the roll. The two men who had laid the charges against Mabuse — Siyabonga Nhlapho and Mandla Radebe —had decided to withdraw the charges.

Mabuse and two others were arrested earlier this month after they allegedly kept Anthony Mamoepa and Thando Mbonambi hostage at Mabuse’s Pimville, Soweto home, where they allegedly beat them for hours.

It was alleged that Mabuse had caught the two men trying to sell a battery they had stolen from him.

He handed himself over to police after releasing the injured pair.

Mabuse later appeared in court where he was granted bail of R2,000.

Yesterday Mbonambi was in court alongside his aunt, Cebisile.

Dressed in a red shirt, he remained mum outside court and his aunt refused to speak to the media.

Mamoepe was not present for the proceedings. It was unclear why.

A beaming Mabuse walked out the courthouse, which is situated on a congested Lenasia road.

Among those beside him was his lawyer, Victor Nkwashu. The pair shook hands before Mabuse made his way into his vehicle.

He refused to comment on the matter. — Sapa