
The arrest occurred on Thursday night, targeting Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla-a daughter of the former president of South Africa-for terrorism charges said to relate to anti-government riots that stormed across the country and killed 354 people four years ago.
Zuma-Sambudla, a member of the opposition MKP, is accused of inciting violence during the riots that took place in July 2021. According to the police, she handed herself over to face charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, as well as charges of inciting violence.
A police spokesperson said the arrest followed an extended investigation by the Durban Crimes Against the State unit, where the unrest that paralyzed the country in 2021 was examined. The state’s case relies a great deal on her social media activity-particularly a thread of posts she made on X in 2021, during which she reportedly called on anti-government protestors to intensify their efforts amid chaos after her father’s arrest.
The rioting followed the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma for refusing to comply with a court order for him to appear before an inquiry into corruption. The riots culminated into massive looting, arson, and property destruction. The unrest resulted in more than 5,000 arrests and caused comprehensive damage to infrastructure and business concerns, particularly around his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
It sprang into third position in parliament immediately after its creation in 2023, pulling about a shade below 15% after the 2021 riots ignited over Zuma’s imprisonment, the result was ANC losing an outright majority which is compelled by constitutional demands in coming up with a 10-party coalition government arrangement; now it finds in the newly launched MKP as serious opposition confronts this current new government.