Joburg Coalition at Risk as Kenny Kunene Demands Return as Transport MMC
Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene has come out strong after being cleared of any wrongdoing in a probe linked to his visit to accused murderer Katiso Molefe’s home. In an interview on SABC’s Face the Nation on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, Kunene demanded his return as Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport, warning that if not, the PA will pull out of coalitions, including the GNU.
He also slammed the DA’s choice of Helen Zille as Johannesburg mayoral candidate, calling it an insult and announcing his own run for the job. This could shake up the city’s shaky alliances, amid ongoing fights over power and service woes. As South Africa marks Heritage Day, Kunene’s bold words highlight deep rifts in politics, where personal ties and past actions often cloud the push for better governance.
Kunene’s chat with host Clement Manyathela covered his clearance, an extortion plot he helped bust, and his beef with the ANC over his old role. With 2026 elections looming, his threats and mayor bid add fuel to the fire in Johannesburg, a key battleground for parties vying to fix the city’s mess.
Cleared of Wrongdoing: Kunene’s Side on Molefe House Visit
Kunene was cleared by an independent probe from law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, commissioned by the PA after he was found at Molefe’s Sandton home during a July 2025 raid. Molefe faces charges tied to the murders of DJ Sumbody and others. Kunene said he was there with a young journalist from his Africa News Global platform for an interview on Molefe’s beef with KZN police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The report talked to Kunene, the journalist, editor Steve Mutal, and a tipster named Jabu, but not police or Molefe (who’s in jail). Kunene questioned why cops weren’t included but left it to the firm. He stressed the outlet focuses on exclusives, not breaking news, explaining why they didn’t run a story on the arrest right away.
Extortion Bust: Kunene’s Hawks Visit Explained
Kunene detailed an extortion attempt starting in May 2025, where a fake Hawks general demanded R50,000 to drop a bogus case. He played along, then reported it to real Hawks officers. “I could have just blocked him, but I thought of many South Africans who fall prey to these criminals,” he said.
He met Warrant Officer Thabo Lefophane on 12 June, then Captain Lefa Lebitso (whose photo was used by the scammer). They set a trap, leading to a citizen’s arrest at Makro Woodmead on 28 July. The runner, Thato Masitenyane, turned out to be a police reservist from Jabulani station, sent by a prisoner named Lucky. Hawks took over, and Kunene praised their work.
Demands Reinstatement: Threats to Pull from Coalitions
Kunene resigned as MMC after the Molefe incident but now demands his spot back, citing the clearance. He accused Mayor Dada Morero of stalling, despite PA negotiating a five-year term for transport. “The mayor has acted as an MMC of transport… It’s unheard of,” he said.
He revealed Morero tried swapping him with the EFF for public safety, but Kunene refused. If not reinstated within seven days (as PA leader Gayton McKenzie demanded), the PA will withdraw from coalitions, including the GNU. “If Kenny Kunene is not reinstated… any member leader of the Patriotic Alliance, I don’t want you to even stay another hour in your position,” McKenzie said.
Kunene confirmed McKenzie would resign as Arts and Culture Minister if needed: “All of us, we must walk away.”
Slams Zille, Announces Own Johannesburg Mayor Bid
Kunene blasted the DA’s choice of Helen Zille for Johannesburg mayor: “The DA insulted the residents of Johannesburg to bring an old age home to come and lead Johannesburg… She failed in Cape Town. She was the mayor for the suburbs, not for Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain.”
He announced his own candidacy under the PA, saying residents trust him from his brief stint: “People have been saying we saw your work… when you acted as the mayor… Please can you stand as the mayor, we’ll vote for you.” He claimed to have stabilised transport, making it the city’s best department.
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