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The child of ex- South African President Jacob Zuma has entered a not guilty plea to terror-linked charges at the commencement of her court case in the port city of Durban.

The defendant, forty-three, is being tried over comments she published on online platforms in the past during violent protests in South Africa that came after the arrest of her father.

A period of anarchy in various areas of the country in the summer of 2021, including theft and intentional burning, caused at least three hundred deceased and resulted in damage worth an projected 2.8 billion dollars (£2.2 billion).

She has been charged of fuelling this turmoil and is charged with allegations of provocation to commit terror acts and public violence.

Background of the Proceedings

The demonstrations were centered in the areas of Gauteng and KZN and were triggered by the previous president's detention for disobeying a court order to testify at an probe into allegations of graft while he was in power.

She has repeatedly denied the accusations against her, with her attorney earlier describing the state's evidence as weak.

She has also frequently claimed the charges against her were an effort to resolve political disputes with her parent after he founded his own party and ran against the ruling party.

Backing and Legal Defense

This was echoed by the Zuma foundation, which stated the proceedings was an "power abuse" and a "systematic campaign" of "political and family-related targeting" against the former president and his relatives.

A small number of followers from her party, her party, turned up outside the judicial building, while her parent and other organization officials attended the proceedings inside.

The defense has stated that the testimony presented by the state is inadequate and fails to provide compelling grounds for a conviction.

Central Elements of the Legal Proceedings

• Social media comments from the past form the basis of the state's evidence
• Deadly demonstrations in 2021 resulted in major deaths and monetary losses
• The accused confronts multiple allegations of incitement to unrest
• Judicial hearings are expected to carry on for multiple days

The trial continues as all parties present their cases before the judicial authority in what is projected to be a highly monitored judicial process with major political ramifications for South Africa.