By Thapelo Molefe
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has suspended its controversial Deputy President, Kenny Kunene, after he was found at the Sandton home of the suspected mastermind behind the murder of DJ Sumbody.
The party’s president Gayton McKenzie announced the decision on Saturday.
“Until such time as he is fully cleared, he has agreed to step aside from his political role in the PA. He will not act or serve in any official capacity in the party while on suspension.”
Kunene has also resigned with immediate effect as a Proportional Representation Councillor in the City of Johannesburg and as the Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Transport.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Council on Friday, Kunene confirmed his decision to step away from public office while the party investigates allegations against him — claims he has described as “unfounded.”
“I regret to inform you that I am tendering my resignation as a Proportional Representation Councillor for the Patriotic Alliance, effective immediately,” Kunene wrote.
“I have nevertheless agreed it would be in the public interest for me to await the clearing of my name before considering a return to public service and duty.”
His resignation follows a police raid earlier in the week at the Sandton residence of businessman Katisa Molefe — a murder accused in the DJ Sumbody case — where Kunene was reportedly present during the arrest.
Molefe and three others face charges in connection with the 2022 killing.
Molefe has previously been linked to violent crimes.
Speaking to eNCA, Kunene confirmed he was at Molefe’s residence at the time of the raid, stating he had facilitated a media interview.
“Somebody that I know who knows Molefe arranged the interview, and I had to transport the journalist to Molefe’s home,” he said.
While defending Kunene’s character, PA President Gayton McKenzie said the party had appointed independent legal experts to investigate the matter.
“This smells like a setup, but I’ve got no proof of that,” McKenzie said.
“Kenny has got nothing to do with this. He is not a violent person and has never been one.”
In the wake of Kunene’s resignation, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has now turned its focus to Executive Mayor Dada Morero.
In a statement on Saturday, DA caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said Kunene stepping down did not absolve the city from its responsibility to ensure accountability.
“This follows after the DA wrote to Mayor Dada Morero demanding the removal of Kunene as MMC of Transport, based on the powers given to the Executive Mayor by section 60 of the Municipal Systems Act,” she said.
While welcoming the resignation, the DA is calling for ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in all contracts and procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the contractors and procurement related to the Lilian Ngoyi Street repairs, and the contractual and procurement matters at the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC).
“Kunene had direct political oversight of these processes, organisations, and projects,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku added.
The party has given Mayor Morero seven days to respond.
“Should the Executive Mayor fail to respond, the DA will use all avenues at our disposal — including approaching law enforcement with the information available to us — to hold the Executive Mayor, as shareholder representative, accountable for the alleged irregularities at JRA and MTC,” she said.
Kunene’s resignation comes just over two years after his appointment as MMC for Transport — a role he says he fulfilled with “vigour, authenticity, and vision.”
“During my time as a Councillor and MMC for Transport, I believe I have made a significant contribution to building and rebuilding our beautiful city,” Kunene said in his resignation letter.
“I worked to be a force for good, championing accessible transport, confronting inefficiencies, and challenging systemic rot within our institutions.”
He also reaffirmed his commitment to the PA and its mission.
“I remain a loyal patriot towards our broader political mission and will remain dedicated to the upliftment of our communities,” he wrote.
“I extend my gratitude to the Executive Mayor — to whom I am writing separately — the City Council, the administration, and our residents for the opportunity to serve.”
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