Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla To Face Terrorism Charges Over July 2021 Unrest

Former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, is set to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing charges under the Terrorism Act for her alleged role in inciting the deadly July 2021 unrest.

State Moves Forward with Charges

According to MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, Zuma-Sambudla’s attorney was formally served with the charges last week. This follows a long-standing investigation into her alleged role in fuelling the riots that left over 300 people dead and caused widespread destruction in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

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During the unrest, Zuma-Sambudla actively posted about the chaos on social media, often sharing images of the looting with captions such as “KZN, we see you.” Digital forensic experts previously testified that she engaged in some of the most “celebratory” posts during the riots. However, she was not among the 20 individuals arrested in 2022 for instigating the violence.

MK Party Mobilizes Support

The MK Party, led by her father, Jacob Zuma, has called on its members to show up in large numbers at her court appearance. The party circulated a poster on X, urging “forces” to “mobilise” and “attend in numbers.”

ANC and Government Silent on Case
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu declined to comment on Zuma-Sambudla’s court appearance, with Mchunu stating he was unaware of the matter.

Labelled a “failed insurrection” by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the riots erupted after Jacob Zuma was jailed for contempt of court. The violence quickly escalated, with looters raiding businesses, torching trucks, and targeting key infrastructure. Law enforcement agencies were overwhelmed, and the military was deployed only after much of the damage had been done.

While Zuma-Sambudla has maintained her innocence, the state now appears ready to hold her accountable. If convicted, she could face severe penalties under South Africa’s anti-terrorism laws.

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