NPA on why it took three years to charge Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla

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The State says it has prima facie evidence to prove that former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla incited violence during the July unrest in 2021.

Zuma-Sambudla appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 30 January, on charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA) and incitement to commit violence.

NPA EXPLAINS WHY IT TOOK LONG TO CHARGE DUDUZILE ZUMA-SAMBUDLA

Scores of MK Party supporters gathered outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court to show support to the party’s member of Parliament.

Party leader Jacob Zuma and his son Duduzane Zuma, the party’s secretary-general Floyd Shivambu and national organiser Nathi Nhleko were among those who were also in court to support Zuma-Sambudla.

Zuma-Sambudla was released on warning and the matter was postponed to 20 March and will now move to the Durban High Court.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s twin brother Duduzane and MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu in court. Image: X/@MkhontoweSizwex

NPA spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga told journalists that there was a delay in the matter because it was the first time that the NPA charged someone based on content posted on social media (X), for content that they consider amounts to incitement to commit terrorism.

“It’s a unique case and complex in nature in the sense that reliance on the investigation and evidence is based on social media posts. It’s a technical investigation where some of parts of the investigation had to be outsourced in terms of experts on social media because SAPS doesn’t have an expert in social media,” Mhaga said.

Mhaga said another issue is that there were emojis and images that needed to be interpreted by an expert in that field. Additionally, there were procurement processes that needed to be followed in order to source or procure that investigative resource.

“The process of investigating the matter therefore became protracted than we anticipated. It is the reason why it took almost three years for the matter to finally have a decision made by the prosecution team, a memorandum presented to the national director of public prosecutions to authorise the prosecution,” he added.