🔗 Share this article Daughter of Former South African President Jacob G Zuma Refutes Terror Charges as Trial Begins Zuma-Sambudla has claimed that the prosecution's legal argument against her is weak The offspring of former South African Head of State Zuma has entered a not guilty plea to terror-linked accusations at the start of her court case in the coastal city of Durban. Zuma-Sambudla, 43 years old, is being charged over statements she posted on social media in the past during violent unrest in South Africa that came after the apprehension of her dad. A period of chaos in multiple regions of the country in the summer of 2021, including theft and intentional burning, resulted in at least 300 dead and resulted in damage worth an estimated $2.8bn (2.2 billion pounds). She has been accused of inciting this unrest and confronts charges of incitement to commit terror acts and civil unrest. Background of the Case The demonstrations were focused in the areas of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal province and were triggered by the ex-leader's detention for ignoring a legal directive to give evidence at an investigation into accusations of corruption while he was holding office. The defendant has always refuted the charges against her, with her legal representative previously calling the prosecution's case as unsubstantiated. She has also consistently said the charges against her were an effort to settle political grievances with her father after he founded his own political party and ran against the ruling party. Support and Legal Defense This was supported by the Jacob Zuma foundation, which stated the proceedings was an "abuse of power" and a "systematic campaign" of "political and familial targeting" against the ex-leader and his family. A small number of followers from her political organization, the political party, gathered outside the KwaZulu-Natal high court, while her father and other party leaders participated in the court sessions inside. The defendant's representatives has maintained that the testimony presented by prosecutors is unconvincing and does not have substantial grounds for a criminal finding. Central Elements of the Case Online posts from four years ago form the basis of the state's evidence Deadly unrest in recent years resulted in significant casualties and monetary losses The individual on trial is charged with multiple charges of incitement to public disorder Court trials are projected to proceed for numerous weeks The trial continues as all parties present their cases before the judicial authority in what is anticipated to be a closely watched judicial process with major political ramifications for South Africa.