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The child of ex- South African Leader Jacob G Zuma has pleaded not guilty to terrorism-related charges at the beginning of her legal proceedings in the port city of Durban.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, 43, is being charged over statements she made on digital networks in the past during deadly demonstrations in South Africa that came after the detention of her dad.

A seven-day period of chaos in several parts of the country in the summer of 2021, including looting and fire-setting, resulted in at least three hundred dead and caused damage worth an estimated $2.8 billion (£2.2 billion).

She has been charged of fuelling this turmoil and confronts accusations of incitement to commit terror-related activities and public violence.

Background of the Proceedings

The unrest were focused in the provinces of the Gauteng province and KZN and were triggered by the former president's apprehension for ignoring a judicial ruling to appear as a witness at an probe into allegations of corruption while he was serving as president.

The defendant has always rejected the accusations against her, with her lawyer previously calling the prosecution's evidence as unsubstantiated.

She has also frequently claimed the charges against her were an bid to settle political grievances with her parent after he established his own political organization and competed against the ANC.

Backing and Court Representation

This was reinforced by the Zuma foundation, which claimed the case was an "abuse of power" and a "systematic campaign" of "politically motivated and familial harassment" against the former president and his family.

A handful of backers from her party, uMkhonto weSizwe, turned up outside the provincial high court, while her parent and other party leaders were present at the court sessions inside.

The defendant's representatives has maintained that the evidence presented by government lawyers is unconvincing and fails to provide concrete proof for a criminal finding.

Central Elements of the Case

• Digital comments from four years ago form the basis of the state's evidence
• Violent unrest in 2021 resulted in substantial fatalities and financial damage
• The individual on trial confronts multiple charges of incitement to violence
• Judicial trials are expected to continue for multiple court sessions

The court case continues as all parties present their arguments before the court in what is anticipated to be a highly monitored judicial process with major political implications for South Africa.