17 July 2027
The Palestine Human Rights Organization #Africa4palestine welcomes the complete withdrawal of all charges against the Loftus 5, a group of 5 activists who were illegally targeted by an overzealous South African Police force, frivolously charged and pursued by a malicious prosecution for the crimes of advocating for Palestinian human rights and against Israeli apartheid and oppression.
The charges arose from the peaceful FIFA Red Card Israel campaign held at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria during an international football match between South Africa and Malawi. The campaign formed part of the growing global movement calling for Israel’s expulsion from international sporting codes in line with the long-established sporting boycott that isolated apartheid South Africa.
The 5 activists were among many ordinary football loving South Africans, who bought tickets to the game, dawning their Palestine regalia and waving Palestinian flags.
From the very beginning, it was evident that the violent arrests and subsequent prosecutions were never about justice, public safety or the rule of law. They were politically motivated, constitutionally flawed and designed to intimidate South Africans who dare to speak out against Israel’s genocide, military occupation and apartheid regime.
Yesterday’s outcome confirms what we have maintained from the outset, that the charges were frivolous, unfounded, unconstitutional and pursued for an ulterior motives. They constituted a gross abuse of the criminal justice system to suppress lawful rights to freedom of expression by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
The withdrawal of these charges is a complete vindication of the Loftus Five and an indictment of those who sought to weaponize state institutions against peaceful human rights defenders.
While justice has ultimately prevailed in court, the damage inflicted by this abuse of power cannot simply be erased. The unlawful arrests, excessive use of force, violence and prolonged prosecution had devastating consequences for the activists and their families. Their personal lives, professional livelihoods and emotional well-being were severely affected. Family members continue to carry the trauma of witnessing the unprovoked and unwarranted violence unleashed by state police against peaceful actions by activists exercising their constitutional rights. No amount of legal vindication can fully restore what was taken from them.
#Africa4Palestine strongly condemns the abuse of state power that resulted in this shameful prosecution. The use of police resources, prosecutorial processes and criminal charges to intimidate human rights activists represents a dangerous assault on constitutional democracy and fundamental civil liberties. State institutions should never be manipulated to shield a foreign apartheid regime from legitimate public criticism.
We commend the courage, resilience and principled determination of the Loftus Five, who refused to be intimidated despite enduring detention, months of legal uncertainty, public scrutiny and personal hardship. Their courage has strengthened the movement for a Free Palestine and not weakened it.
We are also grateful to every organization, activist, legal representative, community leader and ordinary South African who stood in solidarity with the Loftus Five throughout this nightmare. This victory belongs not only to those who appeared in court, but to the broader movement that refused to allow peaceful activism to be criminalized. As opposed to discouraging the campaign, this outcome reinforces the legitimacy and urgency of the Red Card Israel campaign. Attempts to silence activists through intimidation, arrests and politically motivated prosecutions have failed.
#Africa4Palestine reaffirms its unwavering commitment to strengthening the Red Card Israel campaign across South Africa and the African continent. We will continue mobilising athletes, supporters, sporting federations, civil society organisations and the public to demand Israel’s exclusion from international sport until it complies with international law and respects the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.
Finally, while the criminal prosecution has now come to an end, accountability has not. The Loftus Five are continuing with their legal action against the state arising from their unlawful arrests and malicious prosecution, and #Africa4Palestine fully supports their pursuit of justice and accountability. Those responsible for abusing state power, violating constitutional rights and inflicting unnecessary harm must be held accountable.
South Africa should never again weaponize its institutions against human rights defenders and permit the criminalization of peaceful solidarity. And no amount of intimidation will deter the growing movement to isolate Israeli apartheid through peaceful, principled and lawful activism for the liberation of Palestine.
For Inquiries:
Alie Komape
C: 076 979 8801
Communications and Campaigns Manager
_ Abdullah Omar_
C: 071 430 9674
Legal Representative