The four civilians allegedly assaulted and targeted during an international soccer match in Pretoria this weekend, have been remanded in police custody.

They made their first court appearance on Monday, facing charges of assault after police in riot gear targeted them for wearing pro-Palestine t-shirts and waving the Palestine flag at the match between South Africa and Malawi.

Africa4Palestine’s spokesperson, Alie Komape, who was part of this group that attended the match, said that the first half of the game had gone by without incident, with police on duty in their section even asking them to get them the same t-shirts. However, the second half saw things taking a violent turn, when police in riot gear started grabbing the spectators wearing pro-Palestine t-shirts, and even launched teargas into the crowd.

“We were were first asked to stop waving the Palestine flag, to which we agreed, but then things escalated.” said Komape.

Komape has also remarked on how the police are being used to target pro-Palestine voices, especially when these activists were acting within their rights to demonstrate, or show their support for people facing injustice.