MK Party President Jacob Zuma addressing MK Party supporters outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court. Image: uMkhonto weSizwe shared via X @MkhontoweSizwex.
(The Post News)– Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa and current leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), has strongly denied the accusations made against his daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, describing them as “malicious” and an effort by the government to stifle political dissent. Speaking outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where Zuma-Sambudla was charged with inciting disturbance in July 2021, Zuma charged that the state was misusing its authority by targeting his political party and family.
Zuma expressed disbelief that his daughter was being prosecuted over social media posts made nearly four years ago, particularly her tweet that read, “I see you.” In his address to MK P supporters, he questioned whether such a phrase could genuinely constitute a criminal offence. He further implied that the statement may have been misinterpreted.
Zuma mocked the state’s argument, stating that he had expected to hear concrete evidence of wrongdoing in court, only to find that the case hinged on a single phrase. “I thought they were going to say that they have uncovered some new hidden evidence that shows that she killed a person or sent a person to kill someone, but there is no such,” he said.
Additionally, Zuma compared his daughter’s trial to his own imprisonment in 2021 and asserted that the case against her was a part of a larger pattern of state repression. He charged that the administration was enabling corruption to thrive within its own ranks while using the judicial system as a weapon against its opponents. According to Zuma, he was arrested without being prosecuted because the government does not like him, and now they are going after his daughter because they do not like her as well.
Zuma also took aim at journalists, accusing them of failing to report on what he described as injustices committed by the government. “You journalists don’t report these things; you are very selective in your reporting,” he said, urging the media to expose what he believes is a biased legal system. In response to what he sees as government overreach, Zuma announced his intention to organise a protest march against the ruling party. “I am asking that there must be at least one day where we protest, all of us, because of all the things that are happening… this government has failed; we want to take over.”
Meanwhile, Zuma-Sambudla’s legal representative, Advocate Dali Mpofu, described the case as weak and politically motivated. He pointed out the suspicious timing of the charges, questioning why it had taken the state four years to act. “The state has a weak case… why would it take four years for the state to come up with a case that is based on social media posts from 2021?” he asked.
However, the state has justified its decision to bring charges against Zuma-Sambudla, claiming that her tweets in 2021 sparked violent riots that caused fatalities and economic destruction. The prosecution argues that it has a strong case against her, even though it did not object to bail.
Zuma’s defiant stance signifies his ongoing conflict with the ruling government and his use of legal battles as a rallying point for his MK Party. Zuma-Sambudla’s next court appearance is set for March 20.
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