Johannesburg – Controversial politician Kenny Kunene has stepped down from public workplace and political management amid rising strain and a storm of allegations.
Matters got here to a head after Kunene was discovered on the Sandton residence of Katiso Molefe, through the businessman’s arrest by police on 21 July 2025 for the homicide of Oupa John “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka.
Kunene denied any wrongdoing or involvement with Molefe.
Kunene claimed he was solely on the businessman’s home to facilitate an interview for a journalist who writes for his on-line publication.
Amid a public outcry, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) suspended its deputy president, Kunene, from get together actions and in addition instructed him to step except for his MMC for Transport place within the City of Johannesburg.
However, in a dramatic twist earlier this week, Kunene, who lately was performing mayor of Joburg, tendered his resignation.
Kunene resigned each as a Proportional Representation Councillor and because the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport, marking essentially the most vital political fallout within the PA.
Kunene, famed for his “Sushi King” persona, additionally stepped except for his management function within the PA.
The Sushi King’s resignation got here quickly after PA President Gayton McKenzie, who can also be the sports activities, arts, and tradition minister, suspended him pending an inner authorized investigation into his hyperlinks to an alleged homicide suspect.
McKenzie confirmed the suspension via an official letter to get together buildings, stating: “These [allegations] relate to a public notion that his [Kunene’s] offered causes for being discovered on the residence of an alleged member of a homicide syndicate must be examined.
“He has agreed to cooperate with an investigation.”
The Bulrushes can affirm that Kunene submitted two separate letters of resignation – one to the City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and the Speaker.
“I remorse to tell you that I’m tendering my resignation… efficient instantly,” Kunene wrote, however insisted the allegations towards him had been “unfounded”.
He stated stepping apart would serve the general public curiosity.
Before his resignation, Kunene confronted a barrage of criticism.
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Johannesburg caucus chief, Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, didn’t mince her phrases: “Hanging out with suspected murderers and bringing your entire government into disrepute is punishable, and [Joburg Mayor] Morero should act.
“A paid, month-long vacation is just not an possibility for Kunene.”
The DA additional warned that McKenzie’s announcement had no authorized standing in metropolis governance.
“Only the Executive Mayor can take away or appoint MMCs. Gayton’s inner get together choices can’t override the buildings of native authorities.”
The name locations Mayor Morero — already underneath strain from a fragile coalition — in a political bind. While Kunene’s resignation relieves the mayor of the necessity to act, it does little to clear the reputational harm already accomplished.
Political analyst Dr. Sipho Ndaba stated Kunene’s resignation presents a credibility check not only for him however for the PA as a complete.
“Kunene has all the time been a high-risk determine for any critical governance construction,” asserted Ndaba.
“His resignation is a chance for the PA to mature politically.
“But that relies upon fully on how clear and credible this inner investigation will probably be.
“If it’s seen as a smokescreen, it’s going to backfire.”
Dr Ndaba provides that the PA can now not depend on populist attraction and social media spectacles.
“It’s one factor to construct a political model on anti-establishment vitality. It’s one other factor to handle energy and public belief in authorities.”
Another political strategist, Melanie Moeketsi, stated the timing of Kunene’s resignation was telling.
“This is just not a celebration cleansing home, it’s a celebration responding to public strain,” Moeketsi stated.
“That’s fantastic, however the issue is the reactive nature of the management. Why did it take media revelations for them to behave?”
Kunene said: “I Served With Vision and Vigour”
In his resignation letters, Kunene maintained that his conscience was clear.
“I Served With Vision and Vigour,” Kunene stated.
He stated he had served the individuals of Johannesburg with “authenticity and imaginative and prescient” and that he would stay a “loyal patriot” to the PA.
Reacting to Kunene’s resignation, Councillor Kayser-Echeozonjoku stated, whereas she notes his resignation as PR councillor and MMC of Transport within the City of Johannesburg, the “DA nonetheless calls for the investigations as per our letter to the Mayor”.
Councillor Kayser-Echeozonjoku stated the DA was nonetheless demanding the next:
- Full investigation into all contracts and procurement processes on the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA);
- Full investigation into the contractors and procurement of the Lilian Ngoyi Street Repairs; and
- Full investigation into contracts, appointments, and procurement processes on the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC).
“Kunene had direct political oversight of those processes, organisations, and initiatives,” Councillor Kayser-Echeozonjoku stated
“Should the Executive Mayor fail to answer the DA inside seven days, the DA will use all avenues at our disposal, together with approaching legislation enforcement with the data obtainable to us, to carry the Executive Mayor, because the shareholder consultant himself, liable for the alleged irregularities at JRA and MTC.”
