Daughter of Former President Faces Landmark Terrorism Charges
The daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma has appeared in court facing serious charges of inciting terrorism and public violence. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, 43, pleaded not guilty as her trial began in Durban, marking the first time South African prosecutors have brought terrorism-related charges based solely on social media activity.
The 2021 Unrest That Shook South Africa
The case stems from the devastating July 2021 riots that erupted after Jacob Zuma handed himself to police to serve a 15-month sentence for contempt of court. His refusal to appear before a commission investigating widespread corruption - often called 'state capture' - led to his imprisonment and triggered the worst domestic unrest since the end of apartheid.
More than 350 people lost their lives during the disturbances that ravaged the economy and saw widespread looting across South Africa's two largest provinces. The coastal city of Durban became a focal point of the violence, with police photographed chasing suspected looters during the height of the chaos.
Social Media Posts Under Scrutiny
Prosecutors allege Zuma-Sambudla played a key role in inciting the violence through her online activity. They claim 164 WhatsApp social media chat groups were created specifically to coordinate the riots, and that Zuma-Sambudla "intentionally and unlawfully encouraged the public to act in acts of violence under the guise of freeing Jacob Zuma from incarceration."
The defendant has consistently denied the allegations. During a preliminary hearing, she made a satirical statement by wearing a shirt bearing the words "Modern Day Terrorist" - a clear retort to the serious charges she faces.
Political Dimensions and Family Support
The trial carries significant political weight. Zuma-Sambudla followed her father when he left the ruling African National Congress in 2023 to found uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the nationalist party named after the ANC's former militant wing. She has become one of his most trusted allies and was elected to the national assembly in last year's election on MK's platform.
Her father, who led South Africa for nine years, attended court to support his daughter. Observers noted that Zuma-Sambudla appeared relaxed during proceedings, smiling and seeming under no pressure.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation has strongly criticised the prosecution, with representative Mzwanele Manyi claiming: "For more than two decades, state institutions have been selectively mobilised to destroy President Zuma and those associated with him." Manyi argued that Zuma-Sambudla's social media posts were merely "reactive commentaries on events already unfolding" rather than incitement.
The corruption investigation that initially led to Jacob Zuma's imprisonment primarily involved the Gupta brothers - three wealthy Indian businessmen who won lucrative government contracts and were allegedly able to influence cabinet minister appointments during Zuma's presidency.
