Durban, – In a packed Durban High Court today, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) MP Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla entered a blanket not‑guilty plea to three charges under South Africa’s Terrorism Act. She faces one count of incitement to commit terrorism and two counts of incitement to public violence, all linked to social‑media posts she made on X (formerly Twitter) during the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu‑Natal and parts of Gauteng.
Prosecutors say the posts helped spark the wave of looting and arson that left more than 300 dead and caused billions of rand in damage. “The State will show that the accused intentionally and unlawfully encouraged the public to act in acts of violence under the guise of freeing Jacob Zuma from incarceration,” senior State Advocate Yuri Gangai told the court.
Zuma‑Sambudla’s defence, led by Advocate Dali Mpofu, argues the posts were simply observations of public frustration and a show of solidarity, not incitement. Her father, former President Jacob Zuma, sat in the public gallery alongside senior MK leaders, offering a visible show of support.
The trial, expected to run for two weeks, will call six witnesses, including three social‑media experts ⁵. If convicted, Zuma‑Sambudla could face a lengthy prison term.
The case has reignited debate over the use of the Terrorism Act in political disputes and highlights the lingering tensions from the 2021 riots, which erupted after Jacob Zuma’s arrest for contempt of court.
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