South African Ex-President’s Daughter Faces Charges After Deadly 2021 Unrest

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, appeared in court on Thursday facing charges related to her involvement in the deadly riots that erupted in 2021.

The unrest, which claimed over 300 lives, began following the imprisonment of Zuma for contempt of court and spiraled into nationwide violence, looting, and destruction.

Zuma-Sambudla, a member of parliament and prominent figure in the political scene, is accused of inciting violence through social media posts during the July 2021 protests.

Prosecutors argue that her online messages encouraged others to participate in the widespread unrest that followed her father’s arrest for failing to comply with a corruption inquiry order.

Her lawyer has stated that she intends to plead not guilty to the charges.

The riots, initially sparked by anger over Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment, quickly evolved into a broader expression of frustration with South Africa’s deep-rooted issues of poverty and inequality.

The violence led to looting of thousands of stores, significant damage to public infrastructure, and an estimated 50 billion rand ($2.7 billion) in financial losses. Approximately 350 people lost their lives in the chaos.

Zuma-Sambudla, who is a lawmaker in the newly-formed political party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), was accompanied by her father at the Durban court. Jacob Zuma’s political influence remains strong, especially after his backing of MK, which won 58 parliamentary seats in the 2024 national elections.

The results were seen as a significant blow to the African National Congress (ANC), the party Zuma once led. Following the election, the ANC had to form a coalition with smaller parties in order to retain power.

Zuma-Sambudla’s court appearance marks a new chapter in the aftermath of the 2021 riots and the ongoing political turmoil in South Africa.

She was granted bail and will return to court in March for her next appearance.