Latest news with #Zuma-Sambudla
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Did Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's faction dribble Shivambu out of power?
The next secretary-general of the MK party will be the sixth since the party's formation. Questions have been raised about the role that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla played in the sacking of Floyd Shivambu as secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. On Tuesday, MK party national chairperson Nathi Nhleko told reporters that Shivambu has been removed as secretary-general of the party and will be deployed to the National Assembly. Zuma-Sambudla has publicly opposed Shivambu's appointment as the party's secretary-general. Zuma's daughter a force in the MK party? The party has since been split into two factions, one defending Shivambu and the other supporting Zuma-Sambudla. However, political analyst Sanet Solomon told The Citizen that Zuma-Sambudla is an influential figure in MK politics, especially because of her proximity to her father Jacob Zuma and those around him. 'Dudizile plays a strategic role in MK and has influence over those occupying leadership positions in the party,' she said. Was the trip a trap? Solomon said there is a possibility that Shivambu's recent trip to Malawi is being used as an excuse to deal with him. 'The party is aware that his removal would spark conflict and a possible uprising. Thus, it is utilising his trip to Malawi as an excuse to send him to parliament as an ordinary MP [member of parliament]. 'Some might suggest that this 'trip' was a 'trap' meant to destabilise Shivambu in the party and deploy him to a generic position that would make his pending removal much easier,' she said. Does Shivambu have a future in the MK party? Solomon described the decision to redeploy Shivambu as an ordinary member of parliament as both strategic and timely, given the factional leadership battles within the party. 'The party is aware that removal would spark conflict and a possible uprising.' Shivambu accepted his new role and thanked the leaders of the MK party for the opportunity to serve on behalf of the party in parliament. WATCH: Floyd Shivambu on his deployment to parliament Am truly and genuinely grateful for the tasks given and the redeployment. We will serve with excellence and discipline. #GwazaMkhontoGwaza. — Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) June 3, 2025 But Solomon believes that his growth prospects in the MK party are now limited. 'His growth prospects are constrained at MK, particularly because of his 'alleged turbulent' relationship with Zuma's daughter,' she said. ALSO READ: Zuma issues directives against daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla What about Duduzane? There were reports that Zuma-Sambudla wanted her brother Duduzane Zuma to play a more meaningful role in the MK party. But Solomon said it is unlikely that Duduzane Zuma will take over the position of SG. 'It is unlikely that Duduzane would be joining his father and sister in this venture. If he does, it would only be out of obligation,' she said. MK clarifies reasons for sacking Shivambu The MK party has not held an elective conference since its formation in 2023; as a result, all significant appointments have been made in Zuma's office. Meanwhile, in a media statement on Tuesday, the MK party announced that Shivambu has been removed from his position for violating the party's constitution. 'After lengthy discussions and considerable inputs from the national officials, it was concluded that the actions by the secretary-general were found to be against the spirit and the prescripts of the MK party, The constitution of South Africa. Most specifically, section 3 (j) under offences,' the party said. The party stated that Shivambu's association with Bushiri had sparked outrage from some civil society groups. They also said the trip to Malawi was not supported by them. 'Based on the deliberations by the National Officials, it was reaffirmed that the trip was not an officially sanctioned programme of the organisation or the president, which therefore goes against the constitution of the party. 'The MK Party and its leadership have been approached by members of various sectors of civil society and have taken due consideration of the gravity of this matter. 'Due to the serious nature of this matter and its implications for the party, its image, values and principles, the president and the National Officials were left with no other option but to act swiftly in addressing this matter,' the party said. Meanwhile, The Citizen had reached out to the MK party concerning allegations that Shivambu could have been set up. This article will be updated when a comment on this issue is received. NOW READ: Zuma point man touted to replace Shivambu as MK party SG
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma arrested on terrorism charges over riots
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma was arrested Thursday and appeared in a court on terrorism charges for allegedly inciting violence through social media posts before and during riots that shook the country four years ago and left more than 350 people dead. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who is a member of parliament, was released on warning — which is similar to bail without money needing to be put down — while her case was moved to a higher court to continue in March. Her lawyer said she did make social media posts on what was then known as Twitter related to the riots in July 2021 but denied they incited violence. The riots, which were sparked by Jacob Zuma being sent to prison for contempt of court for refusing to testify at an inquiry into widespread government corruption during the time he was president from 2009-2018, were some of the worst civil unrest South Africa has seen since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994. For more than a week, angry mobs engaged in widespread looting of shops and warehouses, arson and destruction of property and more than 5,000 people were arrested. Authorities estimated the riots caused more than $2 billion in damage. The disorder and violence caught authorities unprepared and left South Africa uneasy after three largely peaceful decades since apartheid ended. More than 60 other people have previously been arrested for allegedly inciting violence during the unrest, which authorities say was stoked by Jacob Zuma supporters in an 'insurrection' against current President Cyril Ramaphosa, the man who replaced Zuma as leader of the country and the ruling African National Congress party. Zuma-Sambudla, 42, was accused of urging protesters to cause more damage during the riots as a sign of support for her father. Police said she handed herself in at a police station in the eastern city of Durban on Thursday morning. Riots partly spurred by frustration and poverty The investigation into her involvement in the riots was conducted by a special police unit that deals with serious and organized crime, known as the Hawks. The unit had taken so long to gather evidence because of the complexities of the case and the need for social media specialists, prosecutors said. 'The arrest is as a result of a meticulous investigation ... following the unrest that brought the country to a standstill in 2021,' Hawks spokesperson Brig. Thandi Mbambo said. Prosecutors said Zuma-Sambudla faces charges of incitement to commit terrorism and incitement to commit public violence under a law that deals with threats to the state. They said she made social media posts and speeches in June and July 2021 and the 'natural and probable consequence" of her statements "would be the commission of public violence.' While Jacob Zuma's arrest was believed to be the only catalyst for the riots, a later investigation found that they were also partly spurred by frustration and poverty at a time South Africa was under harsh lockdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prosecution of Zuma-Sambudla is likely to stoke political tensions in South Africa amid an ongoing feud between Zuma and Ramaphosa. South African media reported a strong police presence at the courthouse in Durban — where Zuma has large support — and a police helicopter hovered overhead. Zuma, 82, was also in court, while supporters of a new political party he now leads after his expulsion from the African National Congress gathered outside. His MK Party said the charges against Zuma-Sambudla, a senior party official, were politically motivated to try and weaken what is now South Africa's main opposition. Zuma-Sambudla smiled in court and was wearing a headscarf in the black and green colors of the MK Party, a new political threat to the long-dominant ANC. Zuma has denied any wrongdoing Jacob Zuma has repeatedly claimed that his own legal troubles are politically motivated, even though he has been the subject of multiple criminal investigations dating back to the mid-2000s. He served two months in prison for contempt of court but has also been charged with corruption, racketeering, fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering in relation to a multi-billion-dollar arms deal the South African government signed with a French arms manufacturer in 1999, when he was an influential politician on the rise. Zuma has denied any wrongdoing and his trial, which began in May 2021 but has been held back by multiple legal delays, is due to continue this year. He has also been accused of corruption while he was president through his relationship with a family of Indian businessmen who authorities say were responsible for defrauding state-owned companies out of billions of dollars and bribing senior politicians. Neither Zuma nor any other senior figures in his government have been charged over those allegations, angering many South Africans who saw public services like the electricity grid, the postal service and public transport services crumble because of the graft. ___ Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa. Mogomotsi Magome And Gerald Imray, The Associated Press
Khaleej Times
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Daughter of South Africa's ex-president Zuma charged over 2021 riots
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, appeared in court on Thursday after being charged with inciting violence during riots in 2021 in which more than 300 people were killed. A lawyer for Zuma-Sambudla said she would plead not guilty. Prosecutors allege that Zuma-Sambudla incited others to commit acts of violence in posts on social media in July 2021, when unrest broke out after her father was arrested for disobeying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry. What began as anger over Zuma's jailing turned into rage over poverty and inequality, leading to the looting of thousands of shops, extensive damage to public infrastructure and the deaths of about 350 people. The financial damage from the riots was estimated at 50 billion rand ($2.70 billion). Jacob Zuma accompanied Zuma-Sambudla to the court in Durban. She was released on a warning until another court appearance scheduled for March. After his contempt of court sentence ended in 2022, Zuma backed a new political party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), which was a major disruptor in last year's national election. MK won 58 parliamentary seats, contributing to a sharp drop in support for the African National Congress (ANC) which Zuma used to lead. The ANC was forced into a broad coalition with a host of other smaller parties. Zuma-Sambudla is one of MK's lawmakers in the lower house of parliament.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Daughter of South Africa's ex-president Zuma charged over 2021 riots
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, appeared in court on Thursday after being charged with inciting violence during riots in 2021 in which more than 300 people were killed. A lawyer for Zuma-Sambudla said she would plead not guilty. Prosecutors allege that Zuma-Sambudla incited others to commit acts of violence in posts on social media in July 2021, when unrest broke out after her father was arrested for disobeying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. What began as anger over Zuma's jailing turned into rage over poverty and inequality, leading to the looting of thousands of shops, extensive damage to public infrastructure and the deaths of about 350 people. The financial damage from the riots was estimated at 50 billion rand ($2.70 billion). Jacob Zuma accompanied Zuma-Sambudla to the court in Durban. She was released on a warning until another court appearance scheduled for March. After his contempt of court sentence ended in 2022, Zuma backed a new political party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), which was a major disruptor in last year's national election. MK won 58 parliamentary seats, contributing to a sharp drop in support for the African National Congress (ANC) which Zuma used to lead. The ANC was forced into a broad coalition with a host of other smaller parties. Zuma-Sambudla is one of MK's lawmakers in the lower house of parliament. ($1 = 18.4982 rand)
Reuters
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Daughter of South Africa's ex-president Zuma charged over 2021 riots
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, appeared in court on Thursday after being charged with inciting violence during riots in 2021 in which more than 300 people were killed. A lawyer for Zuma-Sambudla said she would plead not guilty. Prosecutors allege that Zuma-Sambudla incited others to commit acts of violence in posts on social media in July 2021, when unrest broke out after her father was arrested for disobeying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry. What began as anger over Zuma's jailing turned into rage over poverty and inequality, leading to the looting of thousands of shops, extensive damage to public infrastructure and the deaths of about 350 people. The financial damage from the riots was estimated at 50 billion rand ($2.70 billion). Jacob Zuma accompanied Zuma-Sambudla to the court in Durban. She was released on a warning until another court appearance scheduled for March. After his contempt of court sentence ended in 2022, Zuma backed a new political party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), which was a major disruptor in last year's national election. MK won 58 parliamentary seats, contributing to a sharp drop in support for the African National Congress (ANC) which Zuma used to lead. The ANC was forced into a broad coalition with a host of other smaller parties. Zuma-Sambudla is one of MK's lawmakers in the lower house of parliament. ($1 = 18.4982 rand)
