Support for Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla was expressed on Friday by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Women's League, following her appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s court on Thursday, where she was charged with terrorism and inciting violence during the deadly 2021 unrest.

She was released on a warning and will appear in court again in March. The MKP Women’s League is urging support for Zuma-Sambudla at her next court appearance, calling on women in particular to unite in support of the MKP MP.

The party’s Women’s League believes Zuma-Sambudla was targeted, accusing the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance of weaponising the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, under which she was charged, to “silence dissent”.

“It is a cruel irony that the ANC, once labelled a terrorist organisation by the apartheid regime, now uses the same oppressive tactics against any opposition. This case is not just about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, it represents a systemic effort to discredit and weaken women who speak truth to power. Time and again, politically motivated cases are brought forward with little substance, not to secure convictions but to destroy reputations through media narratives and public opinion long before any verdict is reached,” the league averred.

It urged the judiciary to be impartial and to resist political interference, insisting that national security laws should not be used to target those who oppose the governing coalition.

“As women of the MK Party, we refuse to stand by while those who fight for justice are vilified. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's fight is our fight. We reject any system that seeks to silence, discredit or marginalise women of courage."