Liam Jacobs set to take up seat in Joburg council after Kunene resignation
PA president Gayton McKenzie said he will announce within 48 hours which law firm has been appointed to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to Kunene being found in the home of suspected murderer Katiso Molefe when he was arrested last week.
PA mayoral candidate for Tshwane, Liam Jacobs, during an event in Tshwane on 28 July 2025. Picture: @OnsBaizaNie/X
CAPE TOWN - Former Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Liam Jacobs, who defected to the Patriotic Alliance (PA) a month ago, is set to take up the seat in the City of Joburg Council left vacant following the resignation of the party’s deputy president and mayoral committee member, Kenny Kunene.
PA president Gayton McKenzie said he will announce within 48 hours which law firm has been appointed to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to Kunene being found in the home of suspected murderer Katiso Molefe when he was arrested last week.
Molefe is being held for the 2022 hit on Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody.
Speaking to party members from London via a Facebook Live on Monday night, McKenzie continued to back Kunene’s version of events, saying he believes he was set up.
But McKenzie said Kunene can’t be treated differently from other party members, and a transparent investigation is needed.
“We will hide nothing. They say, why are you sad to do the right thing?’ Because Kenny is my brother, he is my deputy president, he’s my confidante. Of course, I’m sad, but the PA comes before Kenny Kunene and Gayton McKenzie.”
McKenzie has denied knowing Molefe and has disputed the authenticity of social media photos featuring him and Kunene with Molefe.
“Why are you dragging me in there? I don’t know that man that Kenny was sitting with. I don’t have that man’s number. I don’t have a picture of that man. I don’t know that man, he doesn’t know me. We don’t hang out. I’ve never hung out with that man.”
McKenzie said he will speak to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero on Tuesday about Kunene’s resignation and said it remains Morero’s prerogative to choose a replacement for his mayoral committee.
McKenzie said Jacobs is taking up Kunene’s vacant seat in the city council to give him local government experience in preparation for running as the party’s mayoral candidate in Tshwane in the 2026 local government elections.