The #RedCardIsrael detainees appeared in court on Monday. Image: Nasreen Naidoo/Salaamedia
Four activists, one of whom is a 16-year-old matriculant, were arrested at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday afternoon. The arrests took place during the Bafana Bafana vs Malawi football match as the individuals were protesting FIFA’s refusal to ban Israel from the international football organisation, as part of the #RedCardIsrael campaign. All four remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The group of activists now faces several charges, including public violence, malicious damage to property, and resisting arrest, as outlined by their attorney, Ammaar Hashim. Following an initial court appearance on Monday, the case concerning the 16-year-old matriculant, Imtiaz Daniels, has been postponed to May 14 for a bail application. The remaining three activists will have their cases heard on May 19 for assessment and formal bail applications.
Standing outside a Pretoria court on Monday, Hashim stated, “We are working behind the scenes to ensure that the charges against the accused are dropped.”
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Frustration Over Legal Hurdles
Representing the detained matriculant, Ismail Khan voiced significant frustration regarding the handling of the young activist’s situation. “We were assured by quite a few people from the police station that everything’s going to be sorted out, the youngster will be out on bail,” Khan explained in an interview with Salaamedia. “When we get to the prosecutor’s rooms, things take a change.”
He further expressed his dismay with the judicial process, stating, “I think it’s absolutely unfair. The system has too many loopholes. Now, we don’t know who to believe.”
The protest at Loftus Versfeld was a direct action stemming from the ongoing #RedCardIsrael campaign, which calls for FIFA to take a stand against Israel’s participation in international football.
Naazim Adam, from the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA), suggested the arrests were influenced by elements resistant to societal transformation in South Africa.
“Those forces want to still show that they wield certain power and that we won’t go into Loftus, we will not go into Afrikanerdom, and raise our voices against apartheid Israel and call for the expulsion of Israel,” Adam told Salaamedia.
All four individuals arrested will remain in custody until their respective court dates.
#RedCardIsrael Protesters Remain in Custody as Court Postpones Bail Hearing to 19 May Palestine Solidary Alliance (PSA) Naazim Adam dissects. #Gaza #Palestine #Solidarity https://t.co/zetzl87bt9
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) May 13, 2025
