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Charges withdrawn against former Idols winner Karen Kortje

Cape Town - Charges of driving under the influence of alcohol were withdrawn against former SA Idols singing contest winner Karen Kortje on Tuesday, the NPA said.

The Kuils River Magistrate's Court in Cape Town withdrew the case after refusing another postponement, said Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazila.

"The reason the matter couldn't go ahead is that blood results are not back yet," he said.

Kortje was arrested more than a year ago, on 8 July, and last appeared in court in April this year.

The Cape Argus reported she was arrested in front of a police station in Van Riebeeck Road after officers noticed her allegedly driving erratically and recklessly.

Kortje was a packer on an apple farm and lead singer of the Elginaires when she won Idols.

A year later, her then-boyfriend Cheslin Williams was arrested for the murder of Durbanville guest house owner Renata Kellerman.

Williams was sentenced to life in prison.

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