Kenny Kunene launches campaign for Johannesburg mayor — Daily Maverick
In Johannesburg, South Africa, Kenny Kunene, the member responsible for transport in the city’s mayoral committee and deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance, launched his campaign for mayor of the city on September 19. His election priorities include regaining control of hijacked buildings, addressing issues in informal settlements, and writing off municipal debt for some residents.
According to Daily Maverick, Kunene told supporters in Aeroton that he has substantial experience working in city government. He claimed to have repaired more roads and potholes than any of his predecessors in the position and also promised to ensure that street lighting works.
At the same time, the publication noted that in June, the Johannesburg Roads Agency fleet was not operating due to financial constraints. Daily Maverick also cited a News24 report that the city’s asphalt plant was shut down in August because of an issue with a supplier.
Debts and illegal connections
Kunene linked the city’s financial problems to growing water and electricity consumption, illegal connections in informal settlements and hijacked buildings, as well as declining municipal revenue. According to him, this results in persistent debt to Eskom and Rand Water.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The politician said that if elected, he would implement a city initiative to write off debts for residents whose homes are valued at less than 1 million rand. He promised to carry out the write-off within 100 days of taking office.
The role of the Patriotic Alliance
The Patriotic Alliance has 11 of the 270 seats on the Johannesburg City Council, although it won eight mandates in the 2021 elections. The party increased its representation through victories in several by-elections. In 2023, PA played an important role in the vote on a motion of no confidence in then-mayor Mpho Phalatse of the Democratic Alliance.
PA leader and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said at the event that the party would focus on the issue of illegal migration and endorsed Kunene’s candidacy. In 2025, Kunene temporarily left his post after he was found at the home of Katlego “KT” Molefe during a police raid. Molefe is accused of murder and, according to the source, is considered likely to be linked to the Big Five gang. Kunene was reinstated after an internal PA review cleared him.
