JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has been arrested and charged with terrorism following her alleged incitement of violence during the catastrophic riots of July 2021. These riots erupted after Zuma was jailed, resulting in over 350 deaths and widespread destruction throughout the country. During her court appearance, Zuma-Sambudla faced accusations related to her incendiary social media posts, which prosecutors claim incited violence.
Released on warning and with her case now scheduled for March, Zuma-Sambudla’s lawyer maintains her posts did not provoke violence. Nevertheless, the situation is tense, as her charges stem from incidents described as some of the worst unrest seen since the fall of apartheid.
The unrest began shortly after Zuma's imprisonment for contempt of court, where he refused to provide testimony on long-standing corruption allegations during his presidency from 2009 to 2018. The chaos began swiftly, with mobs looting stores, setting fires, and engaging in violence, leading to significant property damage estimated at over $2 billion and the arrest of more than 5,000 people.
The Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit, conducted the investigation against Zuma-Sambudla, which they labeled “meticulous.” Brig. Thandi Mbambo, the unit's spokesperson, noted the lasting ramifications of the investigation's complexity, which required input from social media experts.
“The arrest is as a result of a careful investigation,” she stated. The specific charges against Zuma-Sambudla include incitement for terrorism and public violence, reflecting the state’s response to her social media engagement during the riots.
Public unrest was not solely instigated by Zuma's incarceration. Investigations suggested underlying issues such as economic hardship and frustration exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns contributed significantly to the riots. The country, having enjoyed relative peace post-apartheid, found itself grappling with the threat of widespread violence once again, following years of political factionalism.
Over 60 other individuals have faced similar charges for their roles during the unrest, which authorities claim was fueled by Zuma’s supporters rallying against incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zuma-Sambudla's actions appear to be politically charged, igniting fierce debate over the motivations behind her arrest and the character of her father's legacy.
Supporters of Jacob Zuma and the newly formed MK Party rallied outside the courthouse, emphasizing their belief the charges against Zuma-Sambudla are politically motivated. During the court proceedings, Zuma, present to support his daughter, expressed indignation about the legal woes facing his family.
“They are now arresting my child because they don't like her, nor do they like her father,” he declared, asserting his innocence during his own legal tribulations linked to corruption and political machinations.
The history of the Zuma family’s entanglements with the South African legal system is extensive and fraught with controversy, dating back to allegations of high-level corruption during Jacob Zuma's presidency. Despite multiple investigations—often dismissed by Zuma as politically charged—public sentiment remains skeptical, particularly amid service delivery failures ostensibly tied to government corruption.
The July 2021 unrest, marked by looting and destruction of infrastructure, particularly devastated the economic centers across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, resulting in over 200 shopping malls being targeted. An estimated 150,000 jobs disappeared as businesses shuttered their operations amid the chaos, and local communities struggled to rebound.
Despite evidence indicating her political affiliations, Zuma-Sambudla has declared her intention to plead not guilty to the charges. She argues there is no direct evidence linking her social media activity to instances of violence during the riots. Nevertheless, her case signifies the South African authorities' intent to address perceived misinformation and incitement through social platforms.
Expert commentators recognize this trial as unprecedented, being the first time individuals have faced charges concerning social media content under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) representative Mthunzi Mhaga remarked on the complexity of the case as one of its own, indicating how digital communication will influence future legal proceedings.
Even as South Africa continues to navigate its complicated socio-political climate, the ramifications of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's arrest may ripple through the nation. With the MK Party garnering enough votes to challenge the ruling ANC, this familial saga intertwines with broader political questions about democracy, representation, and the rule of law—and could set significant precedents for the future of both political discourse and legal accountability within the country's vibrant, yet tumultuous, political arena.