Ex-South African president’s daughter denies terrorism charges

Ex-South African president’s daughter denies terrorism charges

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has pleaded not guilty to terrorism-related charges as her trial commenced on Monday at the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban.

Zuma-Sambudla, 43, is facing charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence over comments she allegedly made on social media during the violent unrest that followed her father’s arrest in July 2021.

The week-long riots, which erupted in several parts of South Africa, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, led to the deaths of at least 300 people and caused an estimated $2.8 billion (₤2.2 billion) in property damage.

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Prosecutors allege that Zuma-Sambudla’s social media posts helped fuel the chaos that accompanied the protests triggered by the imprisonment of her father for contempt of court, after he refused to testify in a corruption inquiry linked to his presidency.

However, the former president’s daughter has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Her lawyer has described the case as politically motivated and lacking in evidence.

Zuma-Sambudla maintains that the charges are part of a broader campaign to silence her and punish her father for founding his own political movement, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which has challenged the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

In a statement, the Jacob Zuma Foundation condemned the prosecution as “an abuse of power” and “a systematic campaign of political and familial harassment” targeting the former president and his relatives.

A small crowd of MK Party supporters gathered outside the courthouse to show solidarity, while Zuma himself and several senior party figures were present inside the courtroom to attend the hearing.

Ex-South African president’s daughter denies terrorism charges