UPDATE: ZUMA-SAMBUDLA HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY, ARGUING THAT THE CASE IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.(PHOTO).

The trial of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, began today at the Durban High Court, where she faces charges of incitement and conspiracy related to the July 2021 unrest that claimed over 350 lives. 

Zuma-Sambudla has pleaded not guilty, with her lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu, arguing that the case is politically motivated.

 The two-week trial will focus on her social media posts, which the state alleges fueled the violence.
 

ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE:

Zuma's daughter pleads not guilty over deadly South African riots as trial begins

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of inciting violence during riots in 2021 in which more than 300 people were killed, Reuters reported.

The unrest broke out in July 2021 after Jacob Zuma was arrested for disobeying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry, and it morphed into widespread looting. The financial damage from the riots was estimated at 50 billion rand ($2.9 billion at today's exchange rate).

Zuma-Sambudla appeared at the high court in Durban for the first day of her trial over the unrest. Prosecutors allege she incited others to commit acts of violence through posts on social media.

Jacob Zuma, who was president from 2009 to 2018 and who still has a loyal following in South Africa, was in court to support his daughter and sat alongside members of his political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK).

MK was a major disruptor in last year's national election, contributing to a sharp drop in support for the African National Congress, which Zuma used to lead.