Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday to terrorism-related charges as her trial began in Durban.
The 43-year-old faces prosecution for social media statements she made during violent protests in July 2021, following her father’s arrest.
The week-long unrest, concentrated in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, left over 300 people dead and caused an estimated $2.8 billion in damages through looting and arson.
Authorities say Zuma-Sambudla incited public violence and is charged with incitement to commit terrorism.
Her lawyer has described the charges as politically motivated and lacking in substance, while Zuma-Sambudla herself maintains that the case is part of effort to punish her father for launching his own political party and campaigning against the African National Congress.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation called the prosecution an “abuse of power” and a “systematic campaign of political and familial harassment.”
Supporters from uMkhonto weSizwe gathered outside the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, while former President Zuma and party leaders attended the proceedings inside, highlighting the ongoing political sensitivity surrounding the trial.
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