Terrorism accused Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla released on warning

DUDUZILE Zuma-Sambudla, who faces charges of terrorism and incitement in relation to the July 2021 riots, has been released on warning at the Durban Magistrate’s Court where she appeared before Magistrate Irfaan Khallil this morning.

A lack of electricity delayed the start of the proceedings which were also attended by her father and former South African President Jacob Zuma and her brother Duduzane Zuma. Getting underway an hour later than planned, a relaxed and jovial Duduzile made her way into the dock dressed in black with a green head scarf.

Through her lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu, an affidavit was read into evidence that detailed her personal circumstances, including her employment as a Member of Parliament and her strained marriage to Lonwabo Sambudla. Mpofu argued that the accused’s “comfortable arrest” did not take away from the farce of Duduzile’s prosecution.

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He alleged that the matter was politically motivated. “The case is founded on expressions made by the accused on social media. The comments are in fact still up on her social media. The most malicious thing that she said was ‘I see you’,” said Mpofu as he told the court that they will be arguing for a case of malicious prosecution when the matter goes to trial on March 20 at the Durban High Court.

He argued that the State had a weak case against the accused and were pursuing a political agenda by bringing Zuma-Sambudla before court. “This is a waste of State resources; the fact that 12 senior advocates had to discuss the matter before it could be brought before the court, four years later, is ridiculous,” added Mpofu.

This was also echoed in Duduzile’s affidavit which stated, “The fact that this ‘constitutes terrorism’ speaks for itself and is an indication that the NPA is clutching at straws with a very weak case. I have been informed that the charges conferred against me are Schedule Six offence. My incarceration will serve no purpose.”

The State, represented by Advocate Yuri Gangai, was not opposed to bail. Gangai denied that the arrest of Zuma-Sambudla was politically driven. “The decision to bring this matter to court was not taken lightly and the decision was made by 12 senior advocates. To indicate that the State has a weak case is wrong; we have reviewed the evidence and we believe that the State has a strong case against the accused. If there was any political interference, I would have been the first one to  know about it,” said Gangai.

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