Duduzile Sambudla-Zuma to stand trial in November over July 2021 unrest
Former president
On Thursday, she appeared at the Durban High Court, where her matter was certified as trial-ready. In a statement, National Prosecuting Authority (
The 2021 unrest was sparked by the former president's arrest following the
Zuma had defied a court order which compelled him to appear before the Zondo commission of inquiry for his alleged involvement in state capture.
More than 300 people were killed in the riots, the vast majority of them criminals who died while fighting over stolen goods,
In an affidavit read out by her legal representative
During the unrest, Sambudla-Zuma would post 'We See You' on X, accompanied by images and videos of the destruction. She said it was 'plainly nonsensical and petty' to suggest that people were influenced into violence by the posts.
'The mere fact that it has taken the state almost four years to work out where a few social media messages constitute 'terrorism' speaks for itself as an indication that the NPA is clutching at straws with a very weak case,' her affidavit read.
She said that there was no evidence linking her to the riots and that she would be pleading not guilty to the schedule six charges brought by the state.
She also accused the NPA of malicious prosecution, saying she was being used by the state to 'settle political scores' because of her father.
'They are aimed at settling political scores with my father, by the current regime,' Zuma Sambudla said of the charges against her.
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