Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, appeared before the Durban High Court on Monday and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of inciting violence linked to the deadly 2021 riots that left more than 300 people dead.
The violent unrest, one of the most devastating in South Africa’s recent history, erupted in July 2021 following the imprisonment of Jacob Zuma for contempt of court after he refused to testify before a corruption inquiry. What began as political protests quickly spiraled into widespread looting, destruction, and chaos across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.
Authorities estimated the economic losses from the riots at roughly 50 billion rand, equivalent to about $2.9 billion at current exchange rates. The events crippled major supply chains, destroyed small businesses, and dealt a severe blow to South Africa’s fragile post-pandemic economy.
Prosecutors accuse Zuma-Sambudla of using social media to encourage violent demonstrations during that period, claiming that her posts helped fuel the chaos. The defense has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, maintaining that she merely exercised her constitutional right to free expression.
Her father, Jacob Zuma, who served as president from 2009 to 2018, was present in court to support her. Sitting among members of his political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), Zuma appeared calm but defiant. MK, named after the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) during apartheid, has become a significant political force, challenging the ANC’s dominance and drawing heavily on Zuma’s loyal base of supporters.
The trial is expected to draw intense national attention, reopening old wounds over the 2021 riots and reigniting debates about political accountability, justice, and the deep divisions within South African society.
As proceedings continue, the court will hear testimonies from witnesses and examine Zuma-Sambudla’s online activity during the unrest. The outcome could have lasting political and social implications for both the Zuma family and South Africa’s broader democratic landscape.