By Everson Luhanga
- Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is accused of using social media to encourage the 2021 riots that left 354 people dead and caused R50-billion in damage.
- The Jacob Zuma Foundation says the case is politically motivated and claims her posts were commentary, not calls for violence.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and a Member of Parliament for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, has pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting violence during the 2021 unrest.
Prosecutors say Zuma-Sambudla used Twitter and other social media platforms to encourage unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng after her father was jailed for contempt of court.
Her posts allegedly urged thousands to take to the streets, leading to riots, looting and destruction that killed 354 people and caused an estimated R50-billion in damage.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed the case was ready for trial after a pre-trial hearing in August. Spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the state would rely on digital evidence and testimony from social media experts.
The trial is expected to continue until 21 November, with six to eight witnesses taking the stand – three of them experts who will analyse Zuma-Sambudla’s online activity during the riots.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation claims the case is politically driven. It says her posts were reactions to unfolding events, not attempts to fuel violence.
Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said it was dangerous to criminalise slogans like “Amandla” and “Azishe”, which he said form part of South Africa’s liberation history.
Zuma-Sambudla handed herself over to police earlier this year and was released on a warning. The outcome of her trial could set a key precedent for how online speech is treated under South African law.
Pictured above: Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
Image source: @MkhontoweSizwex
