Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, appeared in court on Thursday to face charges of inciting violence during the 2021 riots that left more than 300 people dead.
Her lawyer stated that she would plead not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors accuse Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla of using social media in July 2021 to encourage violence, as unrest erupted following her father’s arrest for refusing to testify at a corruption inquiry. What started as protests over Zuma’s imprisonment escalated into widespread anger over poverty and inequality, leading to mass looting, infrastructure destruction, and around 350 deaths. The riots caused an estimated 50 billion rand ($2.7 billion) in financial losses.
Jacob Zuma accompanied his daughter to the court in Durban, where she was released on a warning ahead of her next court appearance in March.
After completing his contempt of court sentence in 2022, Zuma backed the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which became a major disruptor in the 2024 national elections. MK secured 58 parliamentary seats, contributing to a sharp decline in support for the African National Congress (ANC)—Zuma’s former party. The ANC was subsequently forced into a broad coalition with smaller parties.
Zuma-Sambudla currently serves as an MK lawmaker in South Africa’s National Assembly.
