News
“I Knew He Was Innocent”: Gayton McKenzie Welcomes Kenny Kunene Back to the Patriotic Alliance
A political comeback for the PA deputy president
After months of speculation and controversy, Kenny Kunene has officially returned to his role as deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance (PA). The announcement was made by party leader Gayton McKenzie in a Facebook Live broadcast on Monday evening, where he revealed that a probe by law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr cleared Kunene of any wrongdoing.
Allegations that rocked the party
Kunene was suspended in July after reports linked him to Katiso “KT” Molefe, a businessman accused of orchestrating the 2022 assassination of popular musician and club owner Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka. His presence at Molefe’s Sandton home during the businessman’s arrest raised eyebrows, prompting the PA to remove him from all political activity until an independent investigation was concluded.
The suspension was a heavy blow for the outspoken politician, who not only stepped down as deputy president, but also resigned as a Proportional Representation Councillor and MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg.
McKenzie stands firm: “Our DP is back”
On Monday, McKenzie couldn’t hide his relief.
“They say his story corroborates. So the DP is innocent,” he said, holding up the investigation as proof that the PA acts without favouritism.
McKenzie praised Kunene’s “absolute leadership” for stepping aside without causing rifts within the party. “You never went out to badmouth the party. I want to say our DP is back,” he said.
For McKenzie, the report validated his loyalty to his long-time ally: “I knew it. I stood with the DP, and now no one can say there is favouritism in the PA. The report is there.”
Kunene’s side of the story
Kunene has consistently maintained that he was at Molefe’s home for professional reasons. He explained that he was accompanying a journalist from his media company when police swooped in to arrest Molefe. The investigation appears to have accepted this explanation, clearing him of suspicion.
A shadow that lingers
While the legal findings exonerate Kunene, the saga has left scars. The murder of DJ Sumbody in November 2022 shocked Johannesburg’s nightlife scene and the music industry. His assassination, in Woodmead, claimed two lives and injured another, fueling speculation about organised crime’s grip on the entertainment world.
For critics, Kunene’s proximity to Molefe continues to raise questions about the blurred lines between politics, business, and criminal investigations in South Africa.
Public reaction: divided but watchful
On social media, reactions to Kunene’s return have been mixed. Supporters of the PA welcomed the news, praising the party for subjecting one of its own leaders to a transparent process. Others remain sceptical, questioning whether the investigation truly erased all doubts.
As one user put it on X (formerly Twitter): “Cleared on paper, but trust is harder to rebuild.”
The road ahead for the Patriotic Alliance
Kunene’s reinstatement comes at a critical time. The Patriotic Alliance has been positioning itself as a kingmaker in local coalition politics, especially in Johannesburg. The party will now look to leverage Kunene’s political clout as it continues to grow nationally.
For McKenzie, the saga has also been a test of his leadership. By insisting the PA would not protect even its top leaders from scrutiny, he may have bolstered the party’s credibility. Whether voters accept this remains to be seen.
Kenny Kunene may be back in the fold, but the episode highlights how deeply politics, business, and crime are intertwined in South Africa’s public life. His return may strengthen the PA’s leadership, but it also places the party firmly under the public microscope.
{Source: IOL}
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
