S. African miners released, murder charges dropped

The first wave of miners released were jubilant --- bouncing and singing -- free after more than a week in police custody.

There was also relief.

SOUNDBITE: South African miner saying:

"I'm very very happy about the decision that was made yesterday."

Prosecutors have dropped murder charges against all 270 miners. Their release on Monday was just the latest in a saga that started with a deadly showdown with police.

The men were charged with killing 34 of their colleagues last week

The accusations were controversial from the start and triggered angry demonstrations throughout the country

While police fired the deadly shots, prosecutors cited "common purpose" and a murky anti-apartheid law in their decision to bring the murder charges against miners.