By: Matshidiso Selebeleng

Suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene’s has been put forward for the mayoral candidacy for the City of Johannesburg in the upcoming 2026 local government election.

This despite ongoing investigations into his ties to the alleged crime underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe, who was arrested in connection with the murder of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as ‘DJ Sumbody’.

Kunene was found at Molefe’s home at the time of the latter’s arrest but subsequently claimed to have only been accompanying and aiding an inexperienced journalist who is employed at his online newspaper.

While acknowledging that the investigations are still underway, current sports minister and PA president, Gayton McKenzie announced that Kunene candidacy for the Johannesburg mayoral post, while lauding his work as the city’s member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for transport.

“He (Kunene) has done very good work in the City of Joburg,” said McKenzie on the party’s Facebook platform “and the DP (deputy president) will be our mayoral candidate for Joburg.”

He continued: “We insist on that as he was a councillor. We will discuss with him that position, but the DP, we want his case to finish.”

McKenzie also shared that the investigations into the Kunene’s alleged links to Molefe allegations are at an advanced stage.

“The investigation of the DP will probably be done, but Eugene will tell us tomorrow when it will be done.”

Former Democratic Alliance member of parliament, Liam Jacobs, has also been announced as the party’s candidate for the mayoral position in Cape Town. The 24-year-old, who defected to McKenzie’s party in June this year, will be resigning from his current parliamentary position in pursuit of the Mother City’s mayoral hotseat.