What was Kenny Kunene doing at home of DJ Sumbody's alleged killer? DA says his explanation is laughable
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Joburg says MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene's explanation, that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time is laughable.
Image: Sharon Seretlo / Independent Newspapers
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has called on City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene to resign, after reports that he was found at the home of alleged mastermind of DJ Sumbody’s murder, Katiso “KT” Molefe.
Kunene has confirmed that he was at Molefe’s house when police arrived to arrest the Sandton businessman, Molefe, at his home in the plush neighbourhood on Monday.
News24 reported that Kunene was questioned by police on what he was doing at the scene, and he reportedly insisted that he had accompanied a certain journalist from his media company.
On Tuesday, IOL repeatedly tried to reach Kunene, who did not answer his phone. One of his staff members told IOL that they were not ready to respond to the allegations.
However, DA Johannesburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the revelations were damning for Kunene.
“Criminality and underworld links seem to be entrenched in the Patriotic Alliance (PA) as their Johannesburg leader was found at the home of a suspected murderer during his arrest,” she said.
“Kunene’s role as MMC for Transport is absolutely untenable, after he was found by police at the home of a murder suspect, as police arrived to arrest the suspect. The DA calls for Kunene’s immediate resignation, and if he will not resign Mayor Dada Morero must fire him.”
She said the explanation given by Kunene, in explaining what he was doing at the house is “laughable” and must be rejected out of hand.
“No, Kenny, you were not at a murder suspect’s house to ‘drive a journalist there’. The Patriotic Alliance shows itself more and more every day to not have the best interests of South Africa at heart. It is a selfish, underworld organisation that associates with crime and corruption,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
DA caucus leader in Johannesburg, Belinda Kayser-Ehceozonjoku says Kenny Kunene's explanation is "laughable".
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
“The people of South Africa do not deserve their local governments led by people who are at home with murder suspects. The people of Johannesburg do not deserve the underworld connections that Kenny Kunene brings to the mayoral committee, in their city.”
She said trust in politics comes from keeping promises, and upholding the rule of law.
“The Patriotic Alliance never keeps their promises, and does not uphold the rule of law. Historically, the DA called for Gwamanda to step down amid his criminal investigations, and Kunene must do the same. The office of the executive mayor must be beyond reproach,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
“It is a slippery slope – once a figure like Kunene associates with murder suspects, there is no law he will be afraid to break.
“Kenny Kunene must resign, or be fired immediately,” she insisted.
On Tuesday afternoon, Kunene told eNCA that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Kunene said he was introducing his young journalist to Molefe, allowing the Sandton businessman to respond to the murder allegations he was facing.
"It was basically to give the man the opportunity to speak about where he stands, in all these things, because the court case is still far. And there is nothing wrong with interviewing suspects ... 405 (Newzroom Afrika) was at Kgosi Mampuru (prison), they went there to interview Cat Matlala. They asked him one question because they were not allowed to interview him, but they would have taken that opportunity," said Kunene.
"But they would have taken that opportunity. These are young journalists; this would have been a great exclusive for them. It was a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time."
The slain DJ Sumbody
Image: X
On Monday, IOL reported that in a significant development, the Gauteng businessman, Molefe, was arrested on Monday in connection with the grim murder of the renowned artist and musician Oupa John Sefoka, famously known as DJ Sumbody.
DJ Sumbody, a beloved figure in the South African music scene, was tragically killed in a hail of bullets in November 2022 in Woodmead.
The shooting also resulted in the death of another person, and a third person was left injured.
While the police have remained tight-lipped regarding the specific details surrounding the motives and circumstances of the murder, the arrest marks a crucial step in what has been a protracted investigation into the case.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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