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uMkhonto weSizwe MK Party’s Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member of parliament and alleged instigator of the July 2021 unrest, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, says she is ready to prove her innocence when her trial commences on the 10th of November this year.
Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, has appeared briefly in the Durban High Court for her pre-trial conference. She faces terrorism charges after being accused of inciting violence during the unrest.
She says she still believes her case is politically motivated.
“I still feel that. But obviously, I am in high spirits, and I am looking forward to November. I appreciate all the support; I am humbled; it’s quite overwhelming. I cannot respond to all the messages I am getting bujt I appreciate everyone of them but I appreciate and thank you.”
[WATCH]
The Durban High Court will today hear the case against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, accused of inciting the deadly July 2021 riots through her tweets. pic.twitter.com/zh27tIziwC
— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 14, 2025
At the pre-trial conference, Zuma-Sambudla was donning a T-shirt that read “Modern-day terrorist”. She was jovial in court as she greeted MK members seated in the gallery who came out in their numbers.
The pre-trial conference focused on admissions from the state and defence ahead of the main trial. The court heard that the state is expected to call 6-8 witnesses to the stand. Three of the witnesses expected to testify will be social media experts who will give evidence on the social media updates.
The state says that its case hinges on video clips on social media and audio. It requested that the court allow a TV monitor to be mounted in court to help present its case. The state alleges that Zuma-Sambudla used social media to incite, instigate and coordinate violent incidents and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng.
Zuma-Sambudla has pleaded not guilty. She is represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu. Her legal team previously denied the charges, which she claims are politically motivated. The defence says she admits to having an X account formerly known as Twitter, and that it will call two witnesses to testify. These include a social media emoji expert.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla says she is overwhelmed by the support she has received and is ready for her trial. She is confident that her legal team has made a plea to the National Director of Public Prosecutions to review and set aside the decision to indict her.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, an NPA Spokesperson, speaks about the defence writing to the DPP which they have not received any word. Ramkisson says the state is ready and will call between 6-8 witnesses.
The trial is expected to start on the 10th of November and will run for 11 days until the 21st of November. Sambudla-Zuma is out on a warning.
Related video | Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla July unrest case adjourned to August
