DUDUZILE Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, appeared in court in Durban on Thursday, facing charges of inciting violence during the 2021 riots that led to the deaths of more than 300 people.
Her lawyer confirmed that she intends to plead not guilty to the charges, which stem from allegations that she used social media to incite unrest following her father’s imprisonment for contempt of court.
Prosecutors allege social media incitement
The prosecution claims that Zuma-Sambudla posted messages on social media in July 2021, encouraging violent protests after Jacob Zuma was jailed for defying a court order to testify in a corruption inquiry.
The unrest quickly escalated, turning into widespread looting and destruction, causing an estimated R50bn ($2.7bn) in financial damage and resulting in around 350 deaths.
What started as protests against Zuma’s imprisonment soon evolved into wider demonstrations against poverty and economic inequality, leading to one of South Africa’s worst outbreaks of violence since the end of apartheid.
Jacob Zuma stands by his daughter
Jacob Zuma accompanied Zuma-Sambudla to the Durban court, where she was released on a warning. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March.
Zuma, whose own legal battles continue, remains a key political figure, having backed the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which disrupted the 2024 national election by securing 58 parliamentary seats.
The MK party’s success contributed to the African National Congress (ANC)’s worst electoral performance, forcing it into a broad coalition government.
Zuma-Sambudla now serves as an MK lawmaker in South Africa’s lower house of parliament, solidifying her role in national politics despite the legal challenges she faces.
