The case against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, has been postponed to August 14, for a pre-trial hearing as the legal proceedings unfold.
The case has garnered significant attention and will subsequently move to the Durban High Court for a full trial.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), these charges stem from her alleged role in instigating violence during the unrest that swept across parts of South Africa in July 2021.
The unrest was reportedly sparked by the arrest of her father, Jacob Zuma, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court.
The unrest saw widespread looting, property destruction, and significant disruptions in various provinces, particularly KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The South African Police Service and the military were deployed to restore order, and the aftermath of the violence left over 300 people dead and thousands arrested.
The government estimated billions of rand in damages, highlighting the severe impact of the chaos on local businesses and communities.
A report released by the South African Human Rights Commission in January 2024 found that the July 2021 unrest was orchestrated by well-resourced perpetrators.
The State argued in court documents that Zuma-Sambudla played a pivotal role in inciting the violence through social media posts and public statements that encouraged unrest and dissent against law enforcement.
The NPA contend that her actions were not merely expressions of political opinion but constituted direct calls for violence, exploiting the emotional turmoil surrounding her father's arrest.
Spokesperson for the NPA, Mthunzi Mhaga said the investigation had taken so long because the case was "complex" and "unique".
The State outlined the events leading up to the unrest, citing social media as a significant platform for mobilisation.
In response to the allegations, Zuma-Sambudla has maintained her innocence, claiming that her statements were misinterpreted and that she merely expressed her support for her father adding that it was “nonsensical and petty to say that people were influenced by my commentary”.
“The fact that it has taken the NPA four years to bring these charges indicates a weak case,” she wrote on X.
Her legal team led by advocate Dali Mpofu SC has asserted that the prosecution's case is based on political motivations rather than concrete evidence, arguing that she is being targeted due to her lineage and her father's controversial political legacy.
Zuma-Sambudla's supporters and the MK Party have continued to rally behind her.
IOL