News

Kenny Kunene Under Fire After Being Found at DJ Sumbody Murder Suspect’s Home

Published

1 month ago

July 23, 2025

zaghrah

Sourced: X {https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/1947592013068554374}

MMC for Transport says he was there for a journalist interview. Critics say it’s a political red flag.

In a city that never seems to sleep or slow down its cycle of scandal, Johannesburg is once again gripped by controversy, this time involving its fiery MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene. The self-styled “Sushi King” turned Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president is facing serious political heat after being found at the home of Katiso “KT” Molefe, the alleged mastermind behind the 2022 assassination of popular music personality DJ Sumbody.

Kunene insists it’s all just a massive coincidence. The opposition, particularly the DA, says it’s a red flag the size of Joburg’s skyline.

A Raid, a Murder, and a Political Crisis

On Monday, police arrived at Molefe’s plush Sandton home to make an arrest in the long-running investigation into the murder of DJ Sumbody, whose real name was Oupa John Sefoka. Sefoka was gunned down in November 2022 in a drive-by shooting that also claimed the life of his bodyguard and left another injured.

What police didn’t expect to find during the operation was a senior government official on the scene, Kunene.

The MMC later told eNCA and Newzroom Afrika that he was simply there to support a young journalist from his dormant online platform, Africa News Global. According to him, he had taken the journalist to Molefe’s home to secure an exclusive interview.

“We were outside. We hadn’t even entered the house yet. Then the police kicked in the gate,” Kunene said, claiming police even apologised for the confusion. “I told them I have no relationship with Molefe, I don’t even have his number.”

DA: ‘Laughable Excuse’

But the Democratic Alliance isn’t buying it.

DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku wasn’t pulling punches. “No, Kenny, you were not at a murder suspect’s house to ‘drive a journalist there’. The explanation is laughable,” she said. “The Patriotic Alliance shows itself more and more every day to not have the best interests of South Africa at heart.”

She added that Kunene’s continued presence in the mayoral committee is “untenable” and called for his immediate resignation or for Mayor Dada Morero to fire him if he refuses.

“This is not the kind of leadership Johannesburg needs. Once a figure like Kunene associates with murder suspects, there is no law he will be afraid to break.”

‘Just Journalism’? Or Something More?

Kunene, ever the master of media, framed the situation as a misunderstood attempt at giving Molefe a platform to share his side of the story. “These are young journalists,” he said. “It would have been a great exclusive for them.”

He even compared it to when other media houses, like Newzroom Afrika, sought interviews with jailed suspects like Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, another man tied to DJ Sumbody’s murder investigation.

But the issue isn’t whether suspects should be interviewed. It’s whether a sitting city official should be rubbing shoulders with someone accused of murder, especially someone suspected of coordinating hits in Johannesburg’s increasingly dangerous criminal underworld.

A History of Shadows

This isn’t Kunene’s first brush with controversy. Known for his lavish lifestyle and polarising persona, the PA deputy leader has long been a magnet for headlines, many of them unflattering.

His political critics argue that his association with a suspect like Molefe even if circumstantial raises serious concerns about judgment, proximity to criminal networks, and the thin line between governance and gangsterism in South Africa’s metros.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The case involving DJ Sumbody’s murder continues, with Molefe and co-accused Michael Pule, Floyd Mabusela, and Musa Kekana all appearing in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. They face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for July 29.

As for Kunene? The political fallout is still unfolding. While he’s brushed off calls for his resignation, the public backlash is growing and so is the scrutiny.

The streets of Johannesburg may be filled with potholes, but the roads of local politics are proving even bumpier.

Public Opinion:
On X (formerly Twitter), users have lit up the timeline.

“Kenny Kunene can’t even run Transport in Joburg but has time for murder suspect interviews? Please.”
“This is a movie. And Kenny thinks he’s the star.”
“Where there’s smoke…”

Whether this moment will fade into another South African political shrug or lead to accountability remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Johannesburg’s leadership drama just shifted into a whole new gear.