The first wave of miners released were jubilant --- bouncing and singing -- free after more than a week in police custody.<br/> <br />There was also relief.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: South African miner saying:<br/> <br />"I'm very very happy about the decision that was made yesterday."<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />The men were charged with killing 34 of their colleagues last week<br/> <br />The accusations were controversial from the start and triggered angry demonstrations throughout the country<br/> <br />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.
