Five arrested for damage to property at Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Five arrested for damage to property at Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Police arrested five men for public violence and malicious damage to property following a violent protest at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
The unrest broke out during the half-time of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Malawi.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said about 150 people started protesting at 16:30.
She said when public order police tried to speak to them, protesters turned violent and threw objects at the officers. Police responded and arrested five suspects.
'The men face charges of public violence, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and malicious damage to property.'
The five suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Muridili said police must act when protests threaten safety, as per the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act. The act ensures safety at public events like sports matches and concerts.
The April violence at Loftus Stadium is still under investigation.
Violence broke out after a CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Espérance Sportive de Tunis. The clash followed Sundowns' 1–0 win at Loftus.
Police confirmed that 13 people were injured but refused medical help. Videos on social media showed fans throwing objects, dismantling barricades and fighting, despite security personnel trying to defuse the situation.
Sundowns later released a statement condemning the violence. The club apologised to Espérance and their supporters. They noted their fans may not have started the fight, but admitted it happened at their home ground.
Sundowns said some fans were attacked with flares and pepper spray. They promised to work with the police to prevent future incidents.
#sapsGP Police have arrested five men following a protest at the Loftus stadium in Hatfield, Tshwane district on 11 May 2025. The suspects will be facing charges which include public violence, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property.… pic.twitter.com/RmuhN0fkjh
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 12, 2025
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: Al-Ahly and Sundowns face defining CWC Campaigns
Al-Ahly coach José Riveiro and his Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso will be under immense pressure to prove their worth. Jose Riveiro, former head coach of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso during the Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images) African football will be under the spotlight at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, with four clubs, Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), and Esperance (Tunisia) set to fly the flag for the continent. It's not just about participation anymore. The pressure is firmly on these sides to compete, deliver results, and change global perceptions. ALSO READ: Percy Tau on what Kaizer Chiefs must pay to sign him All eyes will be on the touchline, where Al-Ahly coach José Riveiro and his Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso will be under immense pressure to prove their worth. Both are leading teams with lofty expectations and unforgiving fanbases. And while every manager at the Club World Cup has something to prove, few will be judged as harshly as these two. Riveiro, a former Orlando Pirates boss, has already described Ahly as 'almost a European team'. That statement alone sets the bar. The Cairo giants are not strangers to this tournament, having earned four bronze medals (2006, 2020, 2021, 2023). With Inter Miami, Porto, and Palmeiras awaiting in Group A, Al Ahly's path will be tough, but this is a club built for big stages. A group exit would be seen as failure. At the very least, a knockout spot is expected. Cardoso's task is no easier as the Brazilians are coming off a bitterly disappointing CAF Champions League final loss to Pyramids FC. That result has left fans demanding both redemption and a return to the attacking football the club is known for. In Group B, Sundowns face Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund, and Fluminense. It's not a kind draw, but with the depth and experience in their squad, failure to compete would raise serious questions of Cardoso's credentials. For both coaches, this tournament could double as an audition to keep their jobs. Expectations are sky-high, and anything short of a strong showing may just result in changes at the top. Success is not just about results at these two African heavyweights because attractive football does matter Wydad Casablanca and Esperance, while slightly less scrutinised, carry the same burden of representing African football on the global stage. Morocco's World Cup semi-final run in 2022 shattered old stereotypes and proved that African teams can match the best in the world. Club sides now have a similar responsibility and that's to compete with pride and show the immense talent the continent has to offer Gone are the days when African clubs travelled to the global showpieces just to make up the numbers. The gap between the so-called giants and Africa's best is shrinking. This tournament is a golden opportunity to prove it. ALSO READ: Maema tight-lipped on future after making Sundowns Club World Cup squad The narrative is shifting. African fans no longer hope for miracles, but they expect progress. The whole African continent will be watching Ahly and Sundowns with keen interest. This could prove a defining moment, not only for their global standing but also for the futures of their respective head coaches.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Percy Tau back on the market — Chiefs, Sundowns, Pirates all linked
Back on the market Bafana Bafana's Percy Tau is currently on the hunt for a new club after his contract with Qatar SC expired at the end of last season. Photo: BackpagePix. Image: Backpagepix South African football icon Percy Tau is on the move again, and a number of Betway Premiership clubs could soon battle it out for his signature. The 31-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns forward is currently on the hunt for a new club after his contract with Qatar SC expired at the end of last season. Tau was heavily linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs before the last campaign kicked off, but he ultimately chose to move to the Middle East after his time with the Egyptian giants Al Ahly ended. Naturally, Chiefs have once again been mentioned as a possible destination. Speaking to Robert Marawa on MSW on Wednesday night, Tau said he was open to returning to the PSL, adding that he was willing to speak to as many potential suitors as possible. A possible return to Sundowns was also not off the table. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'There are still other clubs in the PSL. I mean, I've played for Sundowns, so I cannot write them off,' Tau said during the radio show on Johannesburg's 947. 'It's a team that I played for and I've won trophies. I've got so much love for the team and the fans. 'So, it will have to take a good deal to agree. If Sundowns were not to offer me a contract and Chiefs do, then okay, it's not my fault… But I will listen to anybody. Let's not rule out Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch, or SuperSport United. 'I will not rule out anyone, but then my decision will be based on who gives me a contract. 'Of course, Sundowns still have my love, but then it will be based on who offers me a contract, because at the end of the day I still have to support my family. I'm not going to take just any offer. ' Out of all the clubs mentioned, Chiefs are probably the ones who are more desperate for a player of Tau's ability and experience. At times last season, Nasreddine Nabi's men did well and wore teams down but were unable to completely kill them off, as they lacked experience — especially in the final third. Tau, who has won multiple titles throughout his career, including three CAF Champions League crowns, is a player who could give them the edge they currently lack. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
FIFA Club World Cup: Miguel Cardoso issues Mamelodi Sundowns warning
South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, a team used to dominating possession, may have their time with the ball considerably reduced at the Club World Cup, says coach Miguel Cardoso. The Pretoria-based outfit are drawn in Group F with Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund expected to advance to the knockout phase in the United States at the expense of Masandawana and South Korean side Ulsan. When South Africans connect, we don't just network; we build a community. The Lekker Network is a professional network where every conversation starts with, 'How can I help you?' Come join us & be a part of a community of extraordinary Saffas. 'We are used to controlling matches in the South African league,' the 53-year-old Portuguese said of a club that recently won the Betway Premiership an eighth consecutive time. 'Our possession can be 70 percent, sometimes even more,' he told the South African media before departing for North America with a 26-strong squad. 'Now we must prepare mentally to adapt to situations where our opponents will have the majority of possession. I doubt we will be able to control games like we regularly do in South Africa.' Cardoso picked out Borussia Dortmund as a team to present a different type of challenge from the opposition Mamelodi Sundowns are used to at home and in Africa. 'Dortmund play a very high tempo, aggressive style, which is typical of German football,' said the coach, who has worked in Portugal, Ukraine, France, Spain and Greece. Cardoso moved to Africa in 2024, winning the Tunisian title with Esperance and taking them to the CAF Champions League final, which they lost to Al Ahly of Egypt. Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, Esperance and Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, who have won 20 continental Champions League titles between them, are the African representatives at the revamped 32-team Club World Cup from June 14. Sacked by Esperance last year following indifferent domestic form, Cardoso was hired by Mamelodi Sundowns after they axed local coach Manqoba Mngqithi having lost to minnows Magesi FC in a knockout competition final. Cardoso took Mamelodi Sundowns to the league title, but a surprise Nedbank Cup semi-final loss to Kaizer Chiefs dashed hopes of a South African double. An even bigger disappointment came in the CAF Champions League, where Mamelodi Sundowns eliminated Esperance and Ahly only to lose the final to Pyramids, an Egyptian club competing for only the second time. 'The belief that African clubs lack organisation, especially when defending, is untrue,' insists Cardoso. But it was a series of defensive blunders against Pyramids in Pretoria and Cairo that cost Mamelodi Sundowns a chance to win the Champions League a second time after their 2016 triumph. Slack marking allowed Pyramids to snatch an added-time equaliser in South Africa, and a weak clearance and more poor marking led to the goals that gave the Egyptians a 2-1 second-leg victory. Cardoso has chosen a squad including 20 South Africans, two Brazilians, a Chilean, a Ugandan, a Zimbabwean and a Namibian. Reserve goalkeeper Denis Onyango from Uganda is the oldest at 40 and South African winger Kutlwano Letlhaku the youngest at 19. First choice shot-stopper Ronwen Williams saved four penalties in a 2024 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final shootout against Cape Verde. Khuliso Mudau is a polished full-back, Teboho Mokoena an aggressive midfielder with a powerful shot and Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro won the South African league's Golden Boot last season with 16 goals. But a lot of South African attention at the Club World Cup will centre on a midfielder who did not feature in the Champions League title decider, 35-year-old Themba Zwane. Former Mamelodi Sundowns star Joel Masilela was furious at the exclusion of Zwane. 'He is our Lionel Messi and should have started or come off the bench,' Masilela said. 'Cardoso cost us a Champions League title.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
