By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The trial against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resumed in the Durban High Court on Monday, 13 April 2026, with proceedings focusing on her social media posts.
Zuma-Sambudla has pleaded not guilty to charges linked to the July 2021 unrest.
The Durban High Court set the trial dates for the 62 people accused of instigating the unrest in KZN.
The accused face serious charges, including incitement to commit public violence, terrorism, and conspiracy to commit murder.
A social media expert Emma Sadlier was back in the witness stand at the trial and was being cross-examined.
Sadleir previously testified that the English phrase, “We see you” – seen on several of the 28 tweets Zuma-Sambudla posted during the unrest – could be translated to recognition, appreciation, admiration, and gratitude.
She said in some instances, though, it could be seen as encouraging violence.
Zuma-Sambudla’s lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu, resumed cross-examination of digital law expert.
Mpofu argued that “We See You” is a direct translation of the Zulu greeting, Sanibona, and asked Sadleir whether she disputes this.
She maintained that the English phrase takes on a different meaning on social media and popular culture, adding that Zuma-Sambudla did not use the Zulu term in her posts.
This led to a back-and-forth over its meaning.
Mpofu asked Sadleir if she believed Zuma-Sambudla wanted to promote violence.
Sadlier said the phrase, which appeared to express admiration, could be interpreted as encouraging violence, particularly where the accompanying content depicted violent acts.
According to her testimony, many of the posts followed a similar format and were published as unrest spread across KwaZulu-Natal.
She described them as reflecting “encouragement, jubilation and celebration” of the events at the time.
The court also heard that Zuma-Sambudla’s large social media following amplified the reach of her posts.
With more than 360,000 followers, Sadleir characterised her as an “influencer” whose content could spread rapidly online.
Sadleir further outlined that her memorandum included a detailed methodology and drew on her professional expertise in social media law. She also dismissed any suggestion that her conclusions were influenced by Hawks investigators.
The trial will continue on Tuesday, 14 April.
In November last year, Zuma-Sambudla stepped down as a member of parliament for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
She took the decision in the wake of fresh allegations of human trafficking and breaches of South Africa’s anti-mercenary laws, linked to the alleged recruitment of South African men for the Russia–Ukraine war in a separate matter.