The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pushing for a full investigation into Johannesburg municipal tenders linked to Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene. This follows Kunene’s presence at the home of a man arrested during a police raid connected to the murder of renowned musician and businessman Oupa Sefoka, known as “DJ Sumbody.”
While the motive behind Sefoka’s killing remains unclear, the DA believes Kunene’s association with a murder suspect raises red flags.
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The party has formally requested that tenders awarded through the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Rea Vaya bus services, and the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC) be scrutinised.
“In addition to this, the Democratic Alliance will be requesting National Treasury and the AGSA [Auditor-General South Africa] to look into the procurement practices and processes at JRA and the MTC,” said DA Johannesburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
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DA Demands Kunene’s Removal from Mayoral Committee
Citing concerns over public trust and ethical governance, Kayser-Echeozonjoku has called for Kunene’s removal as Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport.
She highlighted that Kunene’s presence at the crime scene raises “serious questions about the nature of Mr Kunene’s relationship with the suspect, as well as his judgment and conduct as a public office bearer.”
“While Mr Kunene is not the MMC responsible for law enforcement, the fact that a senior member of your mayoral committee was present at the home of a murder suspect at the time of arrest is profoundly disturbing,” she added.
Kayser-Echeozonjoku warned that failure to act could also tarnish the mayor’s office, stating, “The position of MMC is one of public trust and responsibility, regardless of whether criminal charges are eventually brought against Mr Kunene. His conduct in this matter has already compromised the integrity of the mayoral committee and brought the city into disrepute.”
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PA Launches Internal Probe as Experts Call for Extended Suspension
PA president Gayton McKenzie has announced an internal investigation into Kunene’s involvement with the suspect. “We are going to appoint a group of advocates and lawyers to investigate this matter. I will give them 30 days to investigate,” McKenzie said.
In the interim, Kunene will be removed from his MMC duties and asked to step back from politics for a month. “That is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life,” McKenzie added.
Political analyst Theo Neethling from the University of the Free State supports Kunene’s suspension but questions whether one month is sufficient. “We don’t know whether Kenny Kunene is guilty of a possible offence or not. But suspension for a month is probably not sufficient,” he told reporters.
“It would be better if he could be suspended as deputy leader of the PA and mayoral member of the council of the city of Joburg, pending the outcome of ethical and criminal investigations.”
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