Jacob Zuma to testify in daughter’s incitement trial

IN a dramatic turn of events, former President Jacob Zuma is preparing to take the stand as a key witness in the ongoing trial of his daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

Facing serious allegations of incitement linked to the civil unrest that rocked South Africa in July 2021, Zuma-Sambudla's case has garnered significant public attention, bringing family ties and political controversy to the forefront of the legal proceedings.

Zuma-Sambudla, a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and a current member of Parliament, has been charged with three counts of incitement to commit terrorism and two counts of incitement to commit public violence.

The charges stem from her controversial social media posts during the tumultuous unrest, which saw over 300 people lose their lives and the economy experience devastating repercussions.

After her arrest in January, her trial commenced on Monday at the Durban High Court and is set to span two weeks.

During this trial, the State alleges that her posts were not merely expressions of sentiment but that they actively encouraged violence, public disorder, and significant destruction of property, alongside disrupting essential services.

Advocate Dali Mpofu, Zuma-Sambudla’s legal representative, made a powerful declaration in court on Tuesday: he intends to call her father to the witness stand to contest the testimonies provided by State witnesses.

Mpofu maintains that Zuma's involvement in the trial aims to illuminate the alleged political motivations behind the charges against his daughter.

"My Lord, I will call President Zuma as my witness. He would dispute the testimonies that have been presented and prove that this case and his arrest were politically motivated," Mpofu asserted.

Joining Zuma in court were several senior MKP members, including activist and former Ukhozi FM radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu, as they rallied support for Zuma-Sambudla during this challenging period.

The crux of the prosecution's argument, led by Advocate Yuri Gangai, lies in testimony provided by witness Sara-Jane Trent, a former employee of noted forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan.

Trent claimed her decision to file charges against Zuma-Sambudla was motivated by her fear that unrest in KwaZulu-Natal could spread to Johannesburg, where she resides. She cited specific social media posts by the accused that she believes incited public violence.

Trent notably referenced Zuma-Sambudla's messages, which included directives to "Shut down KZN, Shut down roads, factories, shops and government #freeJacobZuma" and pointed to video clips of burning vehicles that accompanied her posts as evidence of incitement.

However, during cross-examination, Advocate Mpofu rigorously challenged Trent’s assertions, illuminating potential political biases linked to her relationship with O’Sullivan, who is known to have associations with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mpofu scrutinised the credibility of Trent’s accusations and questioned the relevance of her claims regarding the Gupta family, suggesting that these may be unfounded and politically motivated.

As the trial unfolds, further cross-examination of the prosecution’s witnesses is set to continue on Wednesday.

The implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, intensifying the already heated political landscape in South Africa, as it scrutinises the intersection of family legacy, political affiliations, and the pressing issue of public violence in the nation.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE