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MKP MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
The Durban High Court has heard that some social media posts, which incited violence during the July 2021 civil unrest, were deleted after they were posted, including those posted by UmkhontoWesizwe Party (MKP) member of Parliament, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
This is part of the evidence by the State’s third witness, Digital Forensic Expert, Brigadier Janine Steynberg.
She clarified the origin of videos and images posted by Zuma-Sambudla on social media.
Zuma-Sambudla has pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting terrorism and violence in the July 2021 unrest.
Digital Forensic expert, Brigadier Janine Kollette Steynberg, told the court that after an investigation was launched into Zuma-Sambudla’s social media accounts, several posts were deleted from her X account.
Steynberg told the court that she has expertise in cyber-crime and digital forensics, having served the South African Police Force for 34 years.
The State alleges that her social media posts intentionally and unlawfully encouraged the public to engage in violence.
The State wants to determine whether Zuma-Sambudla was working with individuals in the 164 WhatsApp groups that circulated content related to the unrest, or if she was merely sharing trending content, as her defence argues.
Steynberg provided an analysis of which messages or posts allegedly incited Zuma-Sambudla’s followers.
The defence is expected to start cross-examination tomorrow.
