Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s bid to be discharged from her incitement trial has been dismissed by the Durban High Court. The defence has closed its case without calling witnesses, with arguments postponed to May 2027.
The Durban High Court has dismissed an application by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla seeking to be discharged from her trial on charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence.
The ruling was delivered on Friday after the court considered a Section 174 application brought by the defence under the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
Zuma-Sambudla faces one count of incitement to commit terrorism and two counts of incitement to commit public violence.
The application followed the closure of the State's case last week, when the defence informed the court it intended to seek a discharge in terms of Section 174.
The court heard the application on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The defence argued that the State had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring Zuma-Sambudla to be called upon to answer to the charges.
However, the State opposed the application, arguing that the evidence presented during the trial warranted the accused being placed on her defence.
The court dismissed the application, ruling in favour of the State.
Following the ruling, the defence closed its case without calling any witnesses.
The matter was postponed to May 17, 2027 for arguments.