JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, was arrested Thursday and appeared in court on charges of terrorism for allegedly inciting violence through social media posts before and during the 2021 riots that left over 350 dead.
Zuma-Sambudla, who serves as a member of parliament, was granted release on warning — akin to bail without a financial deposit — while her case was moved to a higher court, where proceedings will continue in March.
Her lawyer confirmed she made posts on Twitter related to the July 2021 riots, but denied that they incited violence. The riots were triggered by Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court after refusing to testify at an inquiry into government corruption during his presidency from 2009 to 2018. The unrest marked the worst civil disturbances South Africa had seen since apartheid’s end in 1994, with widespread looting, arson, and destruction of property, causing over $2 billion in damages.
More than 5,000 people were arrested during the riots, which were partly fueled by frustrations over the COVID-19 lockdowns. Authorities have previously charged over 60 individuals for allegedly stoking the unrest, with Jacob Zuma’s supporters accused of inciting an “insurrection” against current President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Zuma-Sambudla, 42, faces charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence. Authorities allege her posts in June and July 2021 contributed to the violence. The investigation, led by South Africa’s specialized Hawks police unit, took months due to the complex nature of the case, requiring social media specialists.
“The arrest follows a meticulous investigation into the unrest that brought the country to a standstill in 2021,” said Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo.
Jacob Zuma himself attended the court hearing, along with his supporters from the newly formed MK Party, which he leads following his expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC). Zuma-Sambudla appeared in court wearing a headscarf with the black and green colors of the MK Party.
The prosecution of Zuma-Sambudla is expected to heighten political tensions between the Zuma and Ramaphosa factions, with the MK Party calling the charges politically motivated. Zuma, 82, has faced multiple legal challenges, including charges of corruption and money laundering related to a 1999 arms deal, though he denies any wrongdoing. His trial, which started in 2021, will continue this year.