WATCH | Supporters cheer as Mandela Funeral charges dropped against ANC's Pumlani Mkolo

Fraud charges against Eastern Cape ANC leader Pumlani Mkolo and others implicated in the Nelson Mandela memorial scandal have been withdrawn at the East London Magistrate Court on Monday morning.

Party supporters had massed up to celebrate with Mkolo and his co-accused outside court. Mkolo , who was surrounded by armed policemen praised hundreds of supporters who were in a jubilant mood when he stepped out of court.

“We started  this case in May 2014, they were looking for a case to have against me, but today we have come to the end of this case after the government realised that there is no case against us. We have been getting strength from our supporters since 2014. You trusted us as your leaders and we could not disappoint you with what we were accused of.”

He said, “We know there are many people who are not happy with this day and there is nothing they can do.

"People who think they can stand in our  way will never do anything because we trust in our God. This will give us strength to go back to our branches and build the ANC.”