PA Threatens to Withdraw From Coalitions With ANC Unless Kenny Kunene Is Reinstated As MMC, SA Split
- The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has threatened to withdraw from its coalition with the African National Congress in Johannesburg
- Gayton McKenzie demanded that Kenny Kunene be reinstated as Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport
- South Africans shared their thoughts online about McKenzie's demands and the party's threats to withdraw from the coalition
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – The Patriotic Alliance (PA) is demanding that Kenny Kunene be reinstated as the Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport within seven days.
Kunene resigned from the post, and as a councillor, pending the outcome of an internal investigation. An investigation was launched into his suspected ties with murder-accused Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe.
Kunene claimed that he was accompanying a journalist to the house and was not a friend of Molefe. The investigation is now complete, and with Kunene cleared of any wrongdoing, the party has called for him to get his old post back.
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Gayton McKenzie threatens to withdraw from coalitions
In one of his famous Facebook Live posts on Monday, 22 September 2025, Gayton McKenzie warned what would happen if Kunene was not reinstated as MMC for Transport. The PA leader stated that Kunene was ready to assume his previous post, and if he wasn’t given it back within seven days, there would be repercussions.
"Within seven days, if Kunene is not back in his position, every PA member in JB Marks Municipality, every PA coalition with the ANC, you withdraw with immediate effect,” McKenzie said.
“We are not going to be told by Dada Morero. Who does Dada think he is?" McKenzie exclaimed.
Source: Getty Images
Kunene in a strong position to be reinstated
The PA is currently part of a coalition that is keeping the African National Congress and Morero in power in the metro, so McKenzie’s threats of a withdrawal could have the desired effect.
The MMC position has been vacant since Kunene resigned in July, but the Economic Freedom Fighters are also eyeing the post. Liam Jacobs was expected to replace Kunene in council and possibly as the MMC, but he has since been deployed to Cape Town, where he will contest the 2026 elections as the mayoral candidate.
The party’s spokesperson, Steve Motale, has claimed that they were confident that Kunene would be sworn in as a councillor again and as MMC. Speaking to eNCA on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, Kunene also expressed confidence that he would be back in the post, saying that the ANC promised them that the post was prioritised for the PA. He added that if, for whatever reason, that didn’t happen, then the party would make a decision.
How did South Africans react to the news?
Social media users shared mixed reactions to the news, with some saying the party were being greedy.
Dabu Lucas Maleka said:
“It sounds as if they were doing the GNU a favour when they joined.”
Arlette Franks asked:
“A government by threats? The great new SA way?”
Chris Avant-Smith added:
“A minor party attempting to be kingmakers.”
Otshepeng Tshepi Martins stated:
“Kunene is a great MMC and a good leader. He should be reinstated.”
Phathizwe Vincent Mashinini agreed:
“He was doing a good job until he was found in KT’s house🙄.”
Kash Msuthu claimed:
“The gang is getting hungry now.”
Paseka MQ noted:
“But he resigned from that post. It's not like he was suspended pending an investigation. He resigned, and I think it should stay that way.”
Mpho Raphulu suggested:
“They must also pull out of the national government.”
Lungile Rhoyi OnoYesu Vimbi said:
“I like the PA under McKenzie, but they are pushing it this time. These are dirty political tactics by them.”
PA unveils Kunene as Joburg Mayoral candidate
Briefly News reported that McKenzie officially unveiled the PA's candidate for the mayoral post in Johannesburg.
Kunene will go up against the ANC's Morero and the Democratic Alliance's Helen Zille for the post.
South Africans shared their thoughts on the PA's mayoral choice, with some speculating that it would backfire.
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Source: Briefly News
