Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, was released on a warning after appearing in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for her alleged role in inciting the 2021 July riots.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla released on warning
She faces charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA) and incitement to commit violence for social media posts she shared during the unrest.
Her case has been transferred to the Durban High Court and is set to continue on 20 March 2025.
During proceedings, Zuma-Sambudla’s legal representative, Advocate Dali Mpofu, dismissed the case as weak, claiming it was politically motivated and meant to target her father.
“The state succumbed to pressure to bring charges almost four years later,” Mpofu argued.
The prosecution did not oppose bail, and Zuma-Sambudla requested it be set at R3,000, in line with other accused facing similar charges from the unrest.
However, the court granted her release on a warning, meaning she is free without posting bail but must appear for all future court dates.
Outside the courthouse, her supporters from uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) gathered, chanting in solidarity. On social media, Zuma-Sambudla shared a cryptic post reading, “We see you”, a phrase she frequently used during the 2021 riots.
Her alleged role in the deadly 2021 July unrest
The 2021 riots erupted after former president Jacob Zuma was jailed for contempt of court, following his refusal to testify before the State Capture Inquiry.
Protests quickly spiralled into looting and violence, leading to over 300 deaths and billions in damages, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Zuma-Sambudla, a senior figure in the MK party, was accused of using her X (formerly Twitter) account to fan the flames. Prosecutors claim she shared images of burning trucks, looted malls, and destruction, often captioning them “KZN, we see you”—a phrase they argue incited violence.
State prosecutors allege that her posts glorified and encouraged the unrest, with some followers interpreting them as a call to action. However, Mpofu countered that Zuma-Sambudla merely observed events unfolding and never directly called for violence.
“Those posts are still on social media. She hasn’t deleted them. All she said was ‘I see you’ in the posts,” Mpofu told the court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) maintains that the investigation is ongoing, with more digital forensic evidence expected to be presented when the trial resumes.
The state is also pursuing other high-profile figures allegedly linked to the unrest.