Duduzile Zuma Speaks on Terrorism Charges, Says She Will Not Be Silenced

• Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of MK Party president Jacob Zuma, has spoken out about her terrorism charges
• She recently appeared before the Durban Magistrates Court, facing charges relating to the July 2021 unrest
• South Africans were not impressed with her defence and accused her of trying to remain relevant

With nine years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who appeared in court on charges related to the July 2021 unrest, said that she will not be silenced, and will continue defending her father, Jacob Zuma, and her family.

What's happening with Duduzile Zuma?

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has been charged with terrorism after her alleged role during the July 2021 unrest when looters in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal destroyed businesses and looted malls, supermarkets and small businesses. The destruction cost businesses over R100 billion in damages.

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She appeared before the Durban Magistrates' Court on 30 January 2025 where she was charged with incitement to commit terrorism and incitement to commit public violence. She was released on warning and will appear in March.

What did she say about her charges?

Zuma-Sambudla posted a statement on her @DZumaSambudla X account defending herself. She said the case against her is an attempt to silence her defence of her father, who is subjected to the same injustice that she is experiencing. She vowed to protect her father fiercely.

"The case brought against me four years later is nothing more than a blatant attempt to intimidate me into silence. But let me be clear: I will not be silenced! This is not just about me. It is about the continued assault on our people, our leaders, and our struggle for total liberation. I will not submit! I will fight to the end!"

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Read her X statement here:

South Africans slam her

Netizens blasted her in the comment sections.

Boss Man said:

"Please stay off social media and fight your case in court. At this rate, you will make it difficult for any judge to be impartial because of your utterance against the judicial process. Your ego is sending you straight to jail."

Edgar Legoale said:

"You like drama, hey. You like acting revolutionary lol you are going straight to jail, hey. No statement is going to save you."

Heinz said:

"You shouldn't have deleted some of our tweets. That's already an admission of guilt by hiding the truth that you claim to stand for."

Paballo asked:

"So the struggle for you is to "defend my father". Is that your struggle?"

Siyanda asked:

"Who cares to silence someone who is already silent?"

MK Party says case against Duduzile Zuma politically-motivated

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the MK Party defended Zuma-Sambudla after her first appearance in court. She is facing charges of inciting to commit terrorism and inciting violence.

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Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla appears in court, NPA explains 3-year delay as SA anticipates a lengthy trial

The party said the charges were a politically motivated attack against her, and it stands with her. A political analyst spoke to Briefly News and agreed with the party.

Source: Briefly News