Kenny Kunene's Suspension Rocks Joburg Council: PA Scrambles for Replacement Amid Mayor's Deliberati
Johannesburg, South Africa - The political landscape in the City of Johannesburg has been thrown into disarray following the Patriotic Alliance's (PA) decision to suspend its Deputy President, Kenny Kunene, from his role as Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport. The suspension, a 30-day leave of absence, stems from Kunene's presence at the Sandton home of Katiso "KT" Molefe, who was arrested in connection with the 2022 murder of musician DJ Sumbody, during a police raid earlier this week.
While the PA has "removed" Kunene from his MMC position, the final decision on his fate rests with Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, who is currently "applying his mind" to the situation. Morero's spokesperson, Chris Vondo, confirmed today that the mayor is still consulting various stakeholders and no final decision has been made. This delay has intensified pressure on Morero from opposition parties, who argue that keeping Kunene in office undermines the credibility of the city's executive.
Kunene himself has denied any wrongdoing, stating he was at Molefe's residence to facilitate an interview for a journalist from his online publication. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism by critics.
Patriotic Alliance Pushes for Internal Replacement
The PA, a key coalition partner in the Johannesburg council, is now actively discussing options to replace Kunene in the crucial Transport MMC portfolio. The party is advocating for one of its own nine councillors to step into the role. Sources close to the party suggest that Dwaine Ponsoby, the ward councillor for Eldorado Park, is being considered as a potential successor.
PA spokesperson Steve Motale confirmed that the party will be engaging with its coalition partners in the city to discuss the way forward and agree on a replacement. "We are engaging our coalition partners in the City of Johannesburg about the way forward and who replaced Mr Kunene. That announcement will either be made by the mayor or by the party, if an agreement is reached," Motale stated.
The PA's decision to suspend Kunene and initiate an internal investigation, according to party leader Gayton McKenzie, is aimed at setting a precedent and positioning the party for the upcoming 2026 local government and 2029 general elections. McKenzie has expressed belief in Kunene's innocence but acknowledged that the circumstances were "unfortunate" and leaders must be mindful of the company they keep.
Legal and Political Complexities
The situation is further complicated by the fact that while the PA can suspend Kunene from party activities, only the mayor has the prerogative to remove or replace MMCs, as per Section 60 of the Municipal Systems Act. The office of the Speaker of the council has also yet to receive any formal communication from the PA regarding Kunene's suspension as a councillor.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA, have been vocal in their demands for Kunene's immediate removal. DA caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku stated that Kunene's conduct has already "compromised the integrity of the Mayoral Committee and brought the city into disrepute," regardless of whether criminal charges are eventually brought against him.
Should Mayor Morero decide to remove Kunene, he has several options, including appointing an acting MMC, selecting a new permanent candidate, or asking Kunene to take a leave of absence. The outcome of the PA's internal investigation will also play a role in Kunene's long-term political future, with Motale indicating that if cleared, Kunene might return to council, possibly in a different role.
The coming days are expected to bring clarity to the leadership of Johannesburg's Transport Department as the mayor weighs his options and the Patriotic Alliance finalizes its strategy for a replacement.
Bashajobz.co.za will continue to monitor this evolving political story.