Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of inciting violence during the deadly July 2021 riots that left over 300 people dead.
The unrest erupted after Jacob Zuma was arrested for failing to appear at a corruption inquiry, quickly escalating into widespread looting and unrest. Financial losses from the riots were estimated at 50 billion rand (approximately $2.9 billion).
Zuma-Sambudla appeared at Durban High Court for the first day of her trial, where prosecutors accused her of using social media posts to incite others to commit acts of violence during the riots.
Former President Zuma, who served from 2009 to 2018 and retains a strong political following, attended the hearing in support of his daughter, sitting alongside members of his political movement, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). MK was notably active in last year’s national election, contributing to a decline in support for the African National Congress, which Zuma once led.
The trial is expected to scrutinize the role of social media in the 2021 unrest and the extent of Zuma-Sambudla’s influence during the riots.
Melissa Enoch
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