DUDUZILE ZUMA-SAMBUDLA ARRESTED FOR INCITING VIOLENCE DURING RIOTS
JOHANNESBURG — Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, was taken into custody on Thursday and subsequently appeared in court facing terrorism charges. She is accused of inciting violence through posts on social media prior to and during the riots that erupted in 2021, resulting in over 350 deaths.
Zuma-Sambudla, who serves as a member of parliament, was granted a warning release, akin to a bail arrangement that doesn’t necessitate a monetary deposit. Her legal matter is set to be transferred to a higher court in March.
Her attorney acknowledged that she did post messages on what was formerly known as Twitter regarding the unrest in July 2021, but he asserted that these posts did not encourage violence.
The riots were triggered by Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court when he failed to comply with a summons to testify in an inquiry related to extensive corruption during his presidency from 2009 to 2018. This unrest marks one of the most severe instances of civil disorder in South Africa since the dismantling of apartheid in 1994. Over a week, furious crowds engaged in extensive looting, arson, and property destruction. With more than 5,000 arrests, the chaos resulted in damages exceeding $2 billion, leaving authorities unprepared and the public unsettled after a period of relative peace since apartheid ended.
Authorities have previously arrested over 60 individuals on similar charges, claiming that Jacob Zuma’s supporters fueled an “insurrection” against President Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded Zuma as the head of the nation and the ruling party, the African National Congress.
At 42 years of age, Zuma-Sambudla is alleged to have called for more destruction during the riots to show solidarity with her father. Police reported that she voluntarily surrendered at a police station in Durban on the morning of her arrest.
The investigation into her alleged actions was carried out by Hawks, a special police unit focused on serious and organized crime. Prosecutors indicated that the investigation took longer than anticipated due to the intricacies of the case and the necessity for social media analysis.
Brig. Thandi Mbambo, the spokesperson for the Hawks, mentioned that the arrest stemmed from a thorough investigation following the unrest that disrupted the nation in 2021.
Zuma-Sambudla faces serious charges, including incitement to commit terrorism and public violence, under a law meant to combat threats to the state. Prosecutors claimed her posts and speeches from June and July 2021 could have naturally resulted in public violence.
While the initial belief was that Jacob Zuma’s incarceration fired up the riots, further investigations revealed that they were also fueled by public frustration and economic hardship during strict COVID-19 lockdowns.
The prosecution of Zuma-Sambudla could exacerbate existing political divisions in South Africa amid ongoing tensions between Jacob Zuma and President Ramaphosa. Reports indicated a heavy police presence outside the Durban courthouse where Zuma has considerable backing, along with a police helicopter overhead.
Jacob Zuma, at 82, was present in court, while supporters of the newly formed MK Party, which he leads following his expulsion from the ANC, gathered outside. The MK Party asserted that the charges against Zuma-Sambudla are intended to undermine their position as the primary opposition in South Africa.
Zuma-Sambudla showed a defiant demeanor in court, wearing a headscarf representing the MK Party’s colors, black and green.
Jacob Zuma has consistently asserted that his legal issues are politically motivated, despite multiple criminal investigations dating back to the mid-2000s. Having served two months in prison for contempt of court, he is also facing charges regarding corruption, racketeering, and fraud linked to a major arms deal with a French company from 1999, occurring when he was rising in influence.
Zuma maintains his innocence regarding these allegations, and his trial—which began in May 2021—has faced delays but is expected to proceed this year. Additionally, he has been accused of wrongdoing during his presidency connected with a wealthy Indian family that allegedly defrauded government entities and bribed high-ranking officials.
Notably, neither Jacob Zuma nor any of his senior officials have faced charges related to these corruption claims, frustrating many South Africans who have witnessed the deterioration of essential public services as a result of widespread graft.
