PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 July 2026
Al Jama-ah expresses its joy regarding the ‘Withdrawal of Charges’ against Party Member, Shehryar Khan and the Loftus Five
Al Jama-ah welcomes the withdrawal of all criminal charges against him and his fellow activists – collectively known as the Loftus Five – who silently protested using Palestinian regalia against the despicable Zionists regime for their atrocities against the peoples of Palestine. This outcome ends with an unjustified prosecution; one that was based on the erroneous information that was presented in a public statement; it is a case that should never have been pursued and that wasted funds and energy!
The withdrawal of the charges reflects an important affirmation of the constitutional principles of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the right of South Africans to express their political views without fear of unjustified criminal prosecution. Those who brought the charges should be reminded not to abuse the South African legal system and this, as said, should not have taken place.
For more than a year, Mr Shehryar Khan and the other Lotus Five members endured collective trauma and among them was one who was underage. All of them encountered repeated court appearances, faced legal costs, dealt with emotional distress and damage to their personal and professional lives.
Al Jama-ah acknowledges the resilience, dignity, and steadfastness that each of them demonstrated throughout this difficult period. Being a political party founded on the principles of justice, human rights, and constitutional democracy, the party has consistently maintained that peaceful solidarity with oppressed people in Palestine and elsewhere in this global village; they should never have been criminalized and nor should this ever happen again. South Africa’s constitutional democracy protects the rights of individuals to peacefully advocate their views for justice and human rights.
In this instance, the Zionists have used various means to muzzle voices against their genocide and their oppression in and outside Palestine; it seems that certain section of South Africa’s intelligence sector such as SAPS has come under its spell. The party leadership thus questions Zionists – international and local – interference in our country intelligence, legal, and social systems – something sinister is rearing its ugly head and all South Africans should be on the alert.
Nonetheless, let us use this opportunity as a political party to commend all those who provided legal, moral, and public support to the Loftus Five throughout these proceedings and we thus welcome the conclusion of this matter. We trust that the withdrawal of charges will allow the individuals concerned to continue contributing positively to our society without the burden of an unwarranted criminal case hanging over their heads.
At the same time, Al Jama-ah believes that this matter raises important questions regarding the protection of constitutional rights, the conduct of law enforcement during peaceful demonstrations and the need to ensure accountability where rights may have been infringed. South Africa’s democracy is strengthened when state institutions uphold the Constitution fairly, impartially and consistently. But if its laws and social system is being used by others to bolster and promote their nefarious acts, then that is a concern.
Anyhow, we are particularly proud that one of those vindicated today, Shehryar Khan, is one of Al Jama-ah’s committed members; his unwavering commitment to justice, human dignity, and peaceful advocacy reflects the values that our party has instilled and seeks to continuously promote.
Al Jama-ah wishes Shehryar Khan and the other Loftus Five members well on this outcome. We hope this marks the beginning of a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to protect the constitutional rights of every South African, irrespective of their political beliefs or the cause they peacefully support.
Issued by:
Al Jama-ah Political Party
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