Former president and president of the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, Jacob Zuma arrived at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday ahead of his daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s expected appearance on charges relating to incitement during the July 2021 unrest.

Zuma was flanked by MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu.

Zuma-Sambudla, a Member of Parliament (MP) took to X (previously Twitter) to share posts encouraging the violence that played out across KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng.

She shared a flurry of videos and images from various areas across KZN where people had set trucks alight or rioted in the streets – all of her posts captioned #FreeJacobZuma.

Hundreds of MK supporters have arrived at the Durban Magistrate’s Court precinct. KwaZulu-Natal police have been put on high alert.

MK Party leader Jacob Zuma has arrived at the Durban Magistrate’s Court. With him are Floyd Shivambu national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.
They are here to show support for Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla who faces charges over posts she shared on X during the July 2021… pic.twitter.com/asRpIU1rKX

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In a report released by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in January 2024, it was found the July 2021 unrest was orchestrated by perpetrators who were well resourced.

Even though the chaotic events took place when Zuma was arrested and people drew inferences that the incarceration was linked to the unrest, the commission said it could not find a link.

“However, the commission finds that while the timing of the events of the July unrest coincided with the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma, it could not find evidence to link the two events.”

In its findings, the SAHRC further said the fact that the police were ill-prepared for the riots could be something to do with training and resources to deal with the crisis.

It was added that there was a lack of action to crackdown on criminal elements who were looting, destroying and torching malls in the two provinces.

The report has recommended that socio-economic factors must be addressed in the country to prevent similar incidents in future.

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Constitutional Court for refusing to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

The apex court found that Zuma was in contempt of the court.

The Zondo Commission, which concluded its work months later, after the July unrest, was investigating allegations that state coffers were looted during Zuma’s tenure.

IOL News

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