DURBAN – The daughter of former President Jacob Zuma will stand trial in November on terrorism-related charges stemming from her alleged role in inciting the deadly July 2021 unrest that devastated parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Umkhonto weSizwe Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla appeared in the Durban High Court on Thursday for a pre-trial hearing, where the judge certified the matter as trial-ready. Her trial has been scheduled to run from 10 to 21 November.
The 42-year-old faces charges of incitement to commit terrorism and two counts of incitement to commit public violence under the Terrorism Act. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges that Zuma-Sambudla used her social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to urge her followers to take violent action after her father’s arrest in July 2021.
The July 2021 unrest
The charges relate to one of the most devastating periods of civil unrest in South Africa’s democratic history. The violence erupted after Jacob Zuma was arrested on 7 July 2021 for contempt of court, following his refusal to appear before the State Capture Commission.
What began as scattered protests in KwaZulu-Natal quickly escalated into widespread riots, looting, and destruction of infrastructure across the province and Gauteng. Shopping centres, warehouses, and businesses were targeted, while major highways and transport networks were disrupted.
The unrest lasted for several days, with security forces struggling to contain the violence. By the time order was restored, more than 300 people had died, thousands of businesses were destroyed, and economic losses were estimated in the billions of rand.
Social media’s role
Investigators have focused heavily on the role of social media in spreading and coordinating the violence. The state alleges that Zuma-Sambudla used her significant online following to amplify calls for action, contributing to the escalation of tensions.
The case forms part of a broader investigation into the alleged orchestration of the unrest. Zuma-Sambudla is among more than 60 people charged as alleged instigators of the violence, as authorities work to hold accountable those they believe played key roles in planning or encouraging the destruction.
Background to Zuma’s arrest
Jacob Zuma’s arrest was the culmination of a lengthy legal battle over his refusal to cooperate with the State Capture Commission, which was investigating allegations of corruption during his presidency from 2009 to 2018.
The former president had repeatedly defied court orders to appear before the commission, leading the Constitutional Court to sentence him to 15 months in prison for contempt. His supporters viewed the arrest as political persecution, while others saw it as a necessary step in holding powerful figures accountable for corruption.
The timing of Zuma’s imprisonment, amid existing economic hardships and social tensions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, created a volatile environment that erupted into widespread violence.
Legal proceedings
Zuma-Sambudla has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains that the charges against her are politically motivated. Her legal team is expected to challenge the state’s case and the interpretation of her social media posts.
The terrorism charges represent some of the most serious legal action taken against alleged instigators of the unrest. If convicted, she could face substantial prison time, making this one of the most closely watched cases emerging from the July 2021 violence.
The prosecution will need to prove that her social media posts constituted incitement to violence and terrorism, rather than protected political expression. This raises important questions about the boundaries of free speech and the responsibility of public figures for their online communications.
