Gayton McKenzie issues ultimatum to ANC over Kenny Kunene’s reinstatement

Political tensions rise in Johannesburg

Johannesburg’s political landscape is heating up as Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie gave the African National Congress (ANC) a seven-day ultimatum to reinstate his deputy, Kenny Kunene, as the city’s transport MMC. Speaking in a fiery Facebook Live video, McKenzie warned that failure to comply would see his party withdraw from all coalition agreements with the ANC, potentially shaking municipal governance across the country.

“If that mayor of Joburg thinks he can tell us what to do, he’s playing,” McKenzie said. “Kenny Kunene is going back there to sit on the other side, on the bench in council, if they don’t give us back our thing. We will take nothing else there.”

Threats to realign with the DA

McKenzie didn’t stop at issuing threats to the ANC. He also hinted that the PA is prepared to form coalitions with the Democratic Alliance (DA) if the ANC continues to “disrespect” his party. “One year is very short in politics. We will meet them, and we will form a coalition with the DA. We don’t have that thing of saying we will never work with the DA next year,” he said.

The threat extends beyond Johannesburg. McKenzie named municipalities like JB Marks, where the ANC depends on PA support, warning that coalition withdrawals would be immediate if Kunene is not reinstated.

“People think because I am a minister, they can do what they like with the PA … you guys got many jokes. Show us, if you don’t put Kenny Kunene back, we will leave every coalition we have with the ANC, starting with JB Marks,” McKenzie said.

Frustration over perceived disrespect

McKenzie, who serves as Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture in the Government of National Unity (GNU), stressed that the PA will not sacrifice its mandate for political perks. Speaking to eNCA on Heritage Day, he explained the party’s decision to begin disengaging from coalition arrangements, citing years of sidelining and lack of respect from ANC partners.

“We are not here for positions. I will go back, I will go to the ground and we will see what the future holds,” he said, referencing poor service delivery in areas like Westbury as evidence of the ANC’s disregard.

Kenny Kunene exonerated

The latest developments follow a recent law firm investigation that cleared Kunene of wrongdoing. Earlier in July, Kunene had been suspended amid allegations related to a visit to the Sandton home of businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, linked to the 2022 assassination of musician Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka.

McKenzie expressed relief at Kunene’s exoneration. “The probe by respected law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has cleared Kenny. He will resume his duties in the party,” McKenzie announced in the Facebook Live broadcast.

Political fallout and public reaction

The ultimatum has sparked intense discussion on social media, with residents and political analysts debating whether the PA’s threat could destabilize local governance or shift coalition dynamics ahead of upcoming elections. Many observers note that the PA’s nine parliamentary seats give it leverage, making its support crucial for the ANC in both Johannesburg and other municipalities.

As the clock ticks on the seven-day deadline, all eyes are on the ANC’s responseand whether Johannesburg’s coalition politics will see another dramatic realignment.

{Source: IOL}

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