🔗 Share this article

The child of former South African Head of State Jacob G Zuma has pleaded not guilty to terror-linked charges at the beginning of her legal proceedings in the coastal city of the city of Durban.

The defendant, 43, is being tried over statements she published on digital networks four years ago during deadly unrest in South Africa that came after the detention of her father.

A week of chaos in various areas of the country in the summer of 2021, including looting and fire-setting, caused at least three hundred dead and caused damage worth an projected 2.8 billion dollars (£2.2 billion).

Zuma-Sambudla has been alleged of fuelling this violence and faces charges of encouragement to commit terrorism and civil unrest.

Context of the Proceedings

The unrest were concentrated in the areas of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal province and were triggered by the previous president's apprehension for disobeying a legal directive to give evidence at an probe into claims of impropriety while he was in power.

She has repeatedly rejected the allegations against her, with her lawyer in the past describing the state's evidence as unsubstantiated.

She has also consistently said the charges against her were an effort to settle political grievances with her parent after he founded his own party and ran against the ruling party.

Support and Court Representation

This was reinforced by the Jacob Zuma foundation, which stated the case was an "misuse of authority" and a "coordinated attempt" of "political and familial harassment" against the ex-leader and his family.

A few of backers from her group, her party, appeared outside the KwaZulu-Natal high court, while her dad and other group representatives participated in the hearings inside.

The defense has argued that the testimony presented by prosecutors is unconvincing and lacks substantial grounds for a conviction.

Central Elements of the Trial

• Social media statements from 2019 form the foundation of the state's evidence
• Deadly protests in July 2021 resulted in substantial fatalities and economic losses
• The defendant confronts multiple counts of incitement to public disorder
• Judicial hearings are expected to proceed for numerous days

The legal proceedings continues as all parties present their arguments before the judge in what is anticipated to be a closely watched court case with substantial policy implications for South Africa.