Johannesburg – Controversial politician Kenny Kunene has stepped down from public office and political leadership amid growing pressure and a storm of allegations.
Matters came to a head after Kunene was found at the Sandton home of Katiso Molefe, during the businessman’s arrest by police on 21 July 2025 for the murder of Oupa John “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka.
Kunene denied any wrongdoing or involvement with Molefe.
Kunene claimed he was only at the businessman’s house to facilitate an interview for a journalist who writes for his online publication.
Amid a public outcry, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) suspended its deputy president, Kunene, from party activities and also instructed him to step aside from his MMC for Transport position in the City of Johannesburg.
However, in a dramatic twist earlier this week, Kunene, who recently was acting mayor of Joburg, tendered his resignation.
Kunene resigned both as a Proportional Representation Councillor and as the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport, marking the most significant political fallout in the PA.
Kunene, famed for his “Sushi King” persona, also stepped aside from his leadership role in the PA.
The Sushi King’s resignation came soon after PA President Gayton McKenzie, who is also the sports, arts, and culture minister, suspended him pending an internal legal investigation into his links to an alleged murder suspect.
RELATED: Patriotic Alliance Suspends Its Deputy President Kenny Kunene – The Bulrushes
McKenzie confirmed the suspension through an official letter to party structures, stating: “These [allegations] relate to a public perception that his [Kunene’s] provided reasons for being found at the home of an alleged member of a murder syndicate should be tested.
“He has agreed to cooperate with an investigation.”
The Bulrushes can confirm that Kunene submitted two separate letters of resignation – one to the City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and the Speaker.
“I regret to inform you that I am tendering my resignation… effective immediately,” Kunene wrote, but insisted the allegations against him were “unfounded”.
He said stepping aside would serve the public interest.
Before his resignation, Kunene faced a barrage of criticism.
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Johannesburg caucus leader, Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, didn’t mince her words: “Hanging out with suspected murderers and bringing the entire executive into disrepute is punishable, and [Joburg Mayor] Morero must act.
“A paid, month-long holiday is not an option for Kunene.”
The DA further warned that McKenzie’s announcement had no legal standing in city governance.
“Only the Executive Mayor can remove or appoint MMCs. Gayton’s internal party decisions cannot override the structures of local government.”
The call places Mayor Morero — already under pressure from a fragile coalition — in a political bind. While Kunene’s resignation relieves the mayor of the need to act, it does little to clear the reputational damage already done.
Political analyst Dr. Sipho Ndaba said Kunene’s resignation presents a credibility test not just for him but for the PA as a whole.
“Kunene has always been a high-risk figure for any serious governance structure,” asserted Ndaba.
“His resignation is an opportunity for the PA to mature politically.
“But that depends entirely on how transparent and credible this internal investigation will be.
“If it is seen as a smokescreen, it will backfire.”
Dr Ndaba adds that the PA can no longer rely on populist charm and social media spectacles.
“It’s one thing to build a political brand on anti-establishment energy. It’s another thing to manage power and public trust in government.”
Another political strategist, Melanie Moeketsi, said the timing of Kunene’s resignation was telling.
“This is not a party cleaning house, it’s a party responding to public pressure,” Moeketsi said.
“That’s fine, but the problem is the reactive nature of the leadership. Why did it take media revelations for them to act?”
Kunene stated: “I Served With Vision and Vigour”
In his resignation letters, Kunene maintained that his conscience was clear.
“I Served With Vision and Vigour,” Kunene said.
He said he had served the people of Johannesburg with “authenticity and vision” and that he would remain a “loyal patriot” to the PA.
Reacting to Kunene’s resignation, Councillor Kayser-Echeozonjoku said, while she notes his resignation as PR councillor and MMC of Transport in the City of Johannesburg, the “DA still demands the investigations as per our letter to the Mayor”.
Councillor Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the DA was still demanding the following:
- Full investigation into all contracts and procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA);
- Full investigation into the contractors and procurement of the Lilian Ngoyi Street Repairs; and
- Full investigation into contracts, appointments, and procurement processes at the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC).
“Kunene had direct political oversight of these processes, organisations, and projects,” Councillor Kayser-Echeozonjoku said
“Should the Executive Mayor fail to respond to the DA within seven days, the DA will use all avenues at our disposal, including approaching law enforcement with the information available to us, to hold the Executive Mayor, as the shareholder representative himself, responsible for the alleged irregularities at JRA and MTC.”
