Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, appeared before the Durban High Court on Thursday in connection with the violent unrest that gripped parts of South Africa in July 2021.
The disturbances, which erupted in the wake of her father’s incarceration, resulted in widespread public violence, looting, and destruction across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Zuma-Sambudla, who was all smiles in the courtroom, is facing serious allegations linked to her social media activity during the unrest. She wore a t-shirt with the words ‘Modern Day terrorist’.
“She faces charges of incitement to commit Terrorism, and two counts of Incitement to commit Public Violence,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.
The trial is scheduled to take place over nearly two weeks at the Durban High Court, running from November 10 to 21, 2025.
Allegations are that Zuma-Sambudla used her online platforms to encourage acts of violence and public disorder during the week-long chaos, which claimed over 350 lives and caused billions of rands in damage.
DA parliamentary portfolio committee chair of police, Ian Cameron, said that since the riots, crime intelligence (CI) has not improved in the province.
“It has not been beefed up since 2021, especially with the current controversy regarding the management of the SAPS and many people being implicated in many different things. I cannot say with confidence that crime intelligence within the SAPS has been adequately increased,” Cameron said.
KZN violence monitor Mary de Haas told IOL that the province remains plagued by abnormally high levels of violence. “Highly sophisticated unknown forces are attempting to destabilise the province,” said De Haas. “This is a warning, especially in light of the standoff between the provincial commissioner and the police minister.”
IOL News
