Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, maintained her innocence on Monday regarding charges of inciting violence during the 2021 riots that resulted in over 300 deaths. The unrest erupted in July 2021 following Jacob Zuma’s arrest for defying a court order to testify in a corruption inquiry, subsequently escalating into widespread looting.
Financial losses resulting from the disturbances were estimated at approximately 50 billion Rand (USD 2.9 billion at the current exchange rate). Zuma-Sambudla appeared before the Durban High Court on the first day of her trial related to the riots. She faces charges of inciting violence through social media posts.
Jacob Zuma, who served as President from 2009 to 2018 and retains a significant support base in South Africa, attended the court proceedings to support his daughter. He was seated alongside members of his political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), also known as ‘Spear of the Nation’.
uMkhonto we Sizwe played a significant disruptive role in last year’s national elections, contributing to a sharp decline in support for the African National Congress (ANC), the party Zuma previously led. The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks. The prosecution aims to prove that Zuma-Sambudla’s social media activity directly contributed to the escalation of violence and looting during the 2021 unrest. The defense, however, argues that her posts were misinterpreted and did not constitute a direct call to violence.
The case is being closely watched in South Africa, as it touches on sensitive issues of political accountability, freedom of speech, and the legacy of Jacob Zuma’s presidency. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the political landscape in the country.
DZWatch will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
