Zuma’s daughter sparks courtroom frenzy in ‘Modern Day Terrorist’ T-shirt as she faces July unrest charges

Zuma

Cape Town – Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla made a bold visual statement at the Durban High Court this week, arriving in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the words “modern day terrorist” as she prepared to face charges linked to the July 2021 unrest.

The uMkhonto we Sizwe Party MP and daughter of former president Jacob Zuma is accused of inciting terrorism and public violence through her social media activity during the unrest, which left 354 people dead and caused billions of rand in damages.

Her choice of outfit dominated attention outside court, with many interpreting it as a deliberate challenge to the state’s case.

Zuma-Sambudla later posted on Instagram that, despite her imperfections, she sees herself as “a good woman” with a “pure heart” and expressed gratitude for the public’s support.

The state alleges that between June and July 2021, she used her X (formerly Twitter) account—followed by more than 100,000 people—to share and repost videos, images, and commentary during the violent unrest that followed her father’s imprisonment. Prosecutors claim this activity encouraged acts such as looting, road blockades, and arson.

According to The Mail & Guardian, her legal team, led by Advocate Dali Mpofu SC, has consistently argued that her social media posts did not spark the violence, insisting that the unrest stemmed from public outrage over Jacob Zuma’s arrest rather than her online activity.

The publication further reported that an earlier application to have the charges withdrawn was dismissed, and a challenge to the indictment is still awaiting a decision from the National Director of Public Prosecutions. Members of the MK Party were also present in court to show their support for Zuma-Sambudla during the proceedings.

The July 2021 unrest—triggered by Jacob Zuma’s jailing for contempt of court—spurred violent riots, looting, and destruction across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The official death toll has been reported at 354, with economic damages estimated in the billions of rand.

Court proceedings have been confirmed for 10 to 21 November 2025, in what is expected to be a politically charged trial that will test the limits of free expression and political speech in South Africa.

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