Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene has threatened legal action against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sinawo Thambo over a series of social media posts he claims are defamatory.
A letter of demand, dated 11 October 2025, instructs Thambo to retract the posts made on platform X and issue a public apology within 48 hours. Kunene’s legal representatives allege the posts were intended to “injure his dignity and reputation.”
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The dispute stems from Thambo’s posts on 8 and 10 October, where he alleged that Kunene had paid R400,000 bail for murder accused Katiso Molefe, awarded him Rea Vaya transport tenders, and visited his home twice.
Thambo also claimed that President Cyril Ramaphosa reinstated Kunene as Johannesburg’s transport MMC despite these alleged links.
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Kunene’s legal team has vehemently denied these claims, describing them as “unsubstantiated and defamatory.” The letter warns that if Thambo fails to comply by Tuesday morning, legal proceedings will be initiated — including a civil lawsuit for damages.
PA Deputy President Says His Reputation Is at Stake
Kunene’s lawyers argue that the statements have caused significant harm to his professional and personal reputation, which he has built over two decades in business and politics.
“Our client is a respected public servant and businessman,” the letter reads. “He currently holds office in the City of Johannesburg. The posts in question are not only false but have directly harmed his dignity, reputation, and standing in society.”
According to the legal team, the online allegations have triggered widespread speculation, with both the public and media demanding that Kunene respond to claims that his lawyers insist are baseless.
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The letter further instructs Thambo to “cease and desist” from making any additional statements that could be deemed defamatory or misleading, and to stop others from posting similar claims on his behalf.
Parliament Clash Adds Fuel to the Political Fire
The legal warning follows a heated parliamentary exchange on Friday, when Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola told MPs that Kunene had been seen at Molefe’s residence twice — once inside the home and once turned away at the gate.
The revelation sparked tension within the committee. PA MP Ashley Sauls accused Masemola of spreading unverified information and argued that the commissioner should have said “alleged.” Sauls further accused the police of lying, though he provided no supporting evidence.
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The situation has since ignited public debate, with political figures and social media users weighing in on Molefe’s alleged connection to senior PA members. Thambo’s posts claimed that Molefe, a PA member, was arrested for two separate murder cases, including one involving DJ Sumbody and his bodyguards.
He also alleged that Kunene was present during one of the arrests, that Molefe received tenders linked to the Rea Vaya bus system, and that the pair had been seen together at venues such as the Diplomat Club and Moja Café.
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