Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is set to appear in a Durban court on Thursday over allegations of inciting the deadly 2021 riots. Her party, uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), has called on supporters to gather in large numbers in her defense.
The riots, which erupted in July 2021 following Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court, resulted in over 300 deaths and widespread destruction, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. Zuma-Sambudla, a senior MK member, is accused of fueling the unrest through incendiary social media posts.
Zuma-Sambudla has not directly addressed the charges but posted a cryptic message on X, stating: “We see you.” This phrase echoes her past statements during the riots, when she shared images of destruction with the same caption.
Her involvement was initially dismissed by law enforcement. In 2022, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo stated she was not under direct investigation but had been named in witness statements. The Jacob Zuma Foundation has since claimed that the charges against her are politically motivated.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) previously described the riots as a “carefully orchestrated event,” though it found no direct link to Zuma’s imprisonment. President Cyril Ramaphosa referred to the unrest as an “attempted insurrection.”
Zuma-Sambudla’s court appearance marks a significant development in South Africa’s legal efforts to hold individuals accountable for the riots. While a former security guard was sentenced to 12 years in 2023 for his role in the violence, she is the highest-profile figure to face charges thus far.
The riots caused extensive economic damage, with more than 200 shopping malls looted and an estimated 150,000 jobs lost. The unrest remains a divisive issue, particularly as Zuma’s MK party has gained political traction, securing 15% of the vote in last year’s elections to become the country’s third-largest party.
As South Africa awaits the court’s ruling, the case continues to stir debate over political accountability and the lingering impact of Jacob Zuma’s presidency. With tensions high, all eyes will be on Durban’s courtrooms as the legal process unfolds.
