The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it is ready to prosecute uMkhonto weSizwe Member of Parliament, and daughter of former president Jabob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
Zuma-Sambula is facing charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence, related to the July 2021 unrest, following the arrest of his father for defying the Constitutional Court order.
She made a brief appearance at the Durban High Court today, where the matter was postponed to 14 August for pre-trial hearings, with the trial set for
“We have always been ready as the prosecution in the matter.
We disclosed the contents of the police docket, for them to prepare for trial.
The only hurdle now, is the issue of representations which unfortunately in terms of the constitution and the NPA Act, is the right that they’re entitled to.
Hopefully, by the 14th of August, all that will be on the roll so that the matter can proceed on the 14th of November,” said NPA spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga.
Mhaga further said that they hope that there won’t be any progression of the trial to finality.
Zuma-Sambudla has maintained her innocence, arguing that the case is a political witch-hunt, adding that there was nothing untoward with her X statement, which she posted at the height of the July unrest.
Mhaga however said they have a strong case, adding that the prosecutors consulted forensic evidence experts, interpreters of emojis, interpreters of social media content, to prepare for the case.
Made representations to have the matter struck off the roll
Inciting violence.
They have not yet submitted the representations
He dismissed the defence insinuations that they have made representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions, to have the matter struck off the roll.
“Once they do so, it’ll then be a matter that the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) will have to consider, depending on what they present before her.
She will also have to get a report from the Director of Public Prosecutions, because in terms of the NPA Act, an NDPP may only review a decision to prosecute or not to prosecute after consulting the relevant DPP,” explained Mhaga.
