Police will continue to prosecute organisers of a Black Lives Matter rally, despite incorrectly telling the pair that charges against them were being withdrawn.

A police spokeswoman issued a statement on Wednesday saying a “miscommunication by Victoria Police” had occurred, after The Age reported the organisers’ relief at the being told charges would be dropped.

Organisers Crystal McKinnon and Meriki Onus were due to appear in court this month to fight charges of breaching the chief health officer’s directions over their role in planning the June 2020 march against Aboriginal deaths in custody, which attracted about 10,000 people.

On Tuesday, they revealed their relief at being notified the charges would be withdrawn as their legal team prepared for a contested hearing.

When The Age put questions to police about the charges on Tuesday, police said they would not comment on matters before the court.

The police spokeswoman on Wednesday said the women had been told incorrectly that the charges would be dropped and police would still seek to prosecute the matter.

“A miscommunication by Victoria Police wrongly identified the matter would be withdrawn,” she said.

“We can confirm the charges have not been withdrawn and the matter will proceed at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.