The highly anticipated trial of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, is set to commence at the Durban High Court on Monday, 10 November. Zuma-Sambudla faces serious charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA) and incitement to commit violence, stemming directly from the devastating July 2021 unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. She initially appeared in court on 30 January, voluntarily surrendering to authorities before being released on warning, with her case later transferred to the High Court for formal trial proceedings.

The charges arise from widespread riots and extensive looting that erupted following Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment in July 2021 for contempt of court. The violent upheaval, which lasted several days, resulted in over 350 fatalities and caused billions of rands in damage to businesses and infrastructure. Authorities allege that social media posts made by Zuma-Sambudla, among others, contributed to encouraging acts of violence during that period. Specific posts cited include a poster calling for a “shutdown” of KwaZulu-Natal, encompassing roads, factories, shops, and government offices until her father’s release, as well as the use of liberation-era slogans such as “Amandla!” (power) and “Azishe!” (let it burn).

Currently serving as a Member of Parliament for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has become a prominent figure in her father’s political resurgence. Her trial comes at a sensitive political juncture, as the Zuma-led MK Party continues to challenge the African National Congress’s long-standing dominance and dispute the legitimacy of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration. Court proceedings are expected to reignite intense public debate over accountability for the 2021 unrest, one of post-apartheid South Africa’s most severe episodes of civil instability. While critics of the prosecution claim the charges are politically motivated, others insist that justice must prevail to deter any recurrence of similar violence.

The case also represents a crucial test of South Africa’s ability to balance freedom of expression with national security, particularly under the controversial POCDATARA Act, which some legal analysts have criticized for its broad and potentially ambiguous interpretation of terrorism-related offences. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga described the case as “complex,” noting it is the first time the NPA has brought charges based on content shared via social media platforms.

The Jacob G. Zuma Foundation has strongly condemned the prosecution, calling it “political persecution” of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Foundation asserted that Zuma-Sambudla faces trial on “baseless and politically motivated” terrorism charges. They argue that these charges are part of a sustained campaign to “weaponise the criminal justice system” against former President Zuma and his loyal supporters. “What we are witnessing is not justice but a systematic campaign of political and familial harassment against the former President, his children, and all who have defended his legacy,” the Foundation declared.

The Foundation also dismissed allegations of incitement, asserting that Zuma-Sambudla’s social media posts were merely reactive commentaries on unfolding events. They challenged the logic that impoverished communities, many without access to food, smartphones, or data, were mobilized into action by Twitter posts. Moreover, the Foundation criticized the criminalization of liberation-era slogans, arguing that words like “Amandla!” and “Azishe!”, which are central to South Africa’s struggle history, “cannot and must not be perverted into acts of terrorism.”