Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of ex-South African president Jacob Zuma, faces charges for her purported involvement in the 2021 riots. Prosecutors allege she fueled unrest via social media. Her father's political party is mobilizing support for her upcoming court appearance.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla Faces Charges Linked to 2021 South African Riots
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla Faces Charges Linked to 2021 South African Riots
The daughter of former President Jacob Zuma is set to appear in court over her alleged role in the civil unrest that claimed more than 300 lives.
The daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, is slated to be charged for her purported involvement in the violent riots that erupted in July 2021, resulting in over 300 deaths. Prosecutors say her incendiary social media posts contributed to the unrest, which first ignited in Durban after her father's imprisonment sparked widespread protests.
Duduzile, a prominent member of her father’s new political party uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), announced on social media that she would appear in a Durban court on Thursday, calling for supporters to "mobilize all ground forces to attend in numbers." Despite not addressing the charges directly, she posted a cryptic message on X hinting at her perseverance: "We see you."
This isn’t the first time Zuma-Sambudla has been linked to the riots, which have left deep scars in post-apartheid South Africa. Jacob Zuma's presidency ended in 2018, shadowed by corruption allegations that he contended were politically motivated. His jailing in 2021 led to riots, during which Zuma-Sambudla made headlines by sharing numerous posts that portrayed the chaos vividly.
In one notable instance, she shared a now-deleted video showing an individual firing an automatic rifle at a poster of current President Cyril Ramaphosa, often using the phrase "KZN, we see you" to underscore her apparent solidarity with protestors during the tumultuous times.
Amid ongoing investigations, local authorities have recognized the riots as an "attempted insurrection.” While Zuma-Sambudla's actions have drawn scrutiny, the Jacob Zuma Foundation claims the former president's family is being unfairly targeted amidst the broader analysis of the 2021 events — which the South African Human Rights Commission labeled a "carefully orchestrated event."
One individual was sentenced to 12 years last year for their involvement, marking the beginning of potential accountability for participants in the unrest. The violence saw over 200 shopping malls damaged and approximately 150,000 jobs lost, marking a shocking chapter in the nation’s contemporary history. Jacob Zuma’s MK party gained 15% of the votes in the 2022 elections, positioning itself as a significant player in South Africa’s political landscape.
