Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla to Face Trial for Role in July 2021 Unrest
Natalie Nyathi
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is scheduled to stand trial in November 2025 for her alleged role in inciting the July 2021 unrest that resulted in widespread public violence, looting, and destruction, primarily in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The trial is set to take place in the Durban High Court from November 10 to 21.
Zuma-Sambudla faces charges of incitement to commit terrorism and incitement to commit public violence. These charges stem from allegations that she used her social media accounts to encourage and fuel the unrest that erupted following her father’s imprisonment.
The July 2021 unrest was triggered by the imprisonment of Jacob Zuma for contempt of court after he defied a court order to appear before the Zondo commission of inquiry regarding his alleged involvement in state capture. Protests against his incarceration quickly escalated into widespread riots, looting, and destruction of infrastructure. The unrest led to the deaths of more than 300 people and caused an estimated R50 billion in economic damage.
The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that Zuma-Sambudla used her social media platform, particularly her X account, to urge her followers to take violent action after her father’s arrest. It’s alleged that Zuma-Sambudla used social media to spur on the looting by sharing some of the incidents caught on video with the caption: “We see you.” The state believes that Zuma-Sambudla’s social media activity incited others to carry out violent acts.
Zuma-Sambudla has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the charges against her are politically motivated. She argues that her social media posts have been misinterpreted and that there is no direct link between her messages and the violence that occurred. She said it was “plainly nonsensical and petty” to suggest that people were influenced into violence by the posts. Her legal team is expected to challenge the state’s case and the interpretation of her social media posts.
Zuma-Sambudla handed herself over to the Durban Central police station in January 2025, where she was arrested and processed before being released on warning. On August 14, 2025, she appeared in the Durban High Court, where the judge certified the matter as trial-ready. The trial is scheduled to run from November 10 to 21, 2025.
The case against Zuma-Sambudla is part of a broader investigation into the alleged instigators of the July 2021 unrest. The state has expressed confidence in its case against Zuma-Sambudla. If convicted, she could face a substantial prison sentence, making this one of the most closely watched cases emerging from the July 2021 violence.
