Durban – Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, is set to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court this Thursday facing charges related to her alleged role in the devastating July 2021 unrest.
The MK Party (MKP), of which she is a Member of Parliament, confirmed that her legal representative received the charges last week. A social media announcement by the MKP on Tuesday urged party members to rally their support for Zuma-Sambudla at her court appearance.
The unrest, triggered by the imprisonment of Jacob Zuma, brought the nation to a standstill, claiming over 300 lives and causing widespread destruction, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). KZN bore the brunt of the violence, with eThekwini metro experiencing the highest number of fatalities.
The violence spiralled out of control as various groups, including some security companies, mobilised under the guise of protecting their property. In Phoenix, a predominantly Indian township in Durban, the unrest tragically escalated into racial conflict between Indian and black African communities, resulting in numerous deaths. More than 30 black Africans were killed.
Zuma-Sambudla’s alleged involvement stems from her highly visible social media activity during the unrest. She frequently posted images of the destruction and chaos on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by the caption: “KZN, we see you.” This, along with other posts, has led to accusations that she not only celebrated the violence but actively incited it.
Testimony given to the South African Human Rights Commission’s investigation into the unrest by Jean le Roux of the Digital Forensic Research Lab highlighted Zuma-Sambudla’s particularly celebratory social media presence during the period of violence.
The commission’s report detailed how the initially Zuma-centric protests morphed into racially charged violence. The report also noted the climate of fear and tension that led many, regardless of race, to take to the streets to protect their homes and communities in the absence of sufficient police presence.
The report highlighted how the “swart gevaar” (the perceived threat of black individuals) narrative re-emerged, particularly in relation to the events in Phoenix. The commission explained that propaganda spread via social media and within communities, with some security personnel forming street committees to control movement and protect their areas.
While several individuals were arrested and charged for their roles in the violence, Zuma-Sambudla’s case marks a significant development, as no political figures have previously faced prosecution for their alleged involvement in the unrest. Calls for her prosecution have been widespread, particularly from opposition parties, focusing on her inflammatory social media posts.
The Hawks, South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, investigated Zuma-Sambudla in the aftermath of the unrest. Major General Lesetja Senona, then head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed the investigation but remained tight-lipped about its progress, stating that the case would be presented to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) upon completion of their inquiry. Interestingly, she was not among the twenty individuals arrested in 2022 for their alleged roles in instigating the violence.
The unrest itself was widely believed to have been sparked by the arrest of Jacob Zuma, who was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court after refusing to testify before the state capture commission.
The ensuing anger, violence, and looting spread across various provinces, causing immense human suffering and significant economic damage. The scale of the destruction and the loss of life underscore the gravity of the situation and the importance of the upcoming court proceedings.
