In a dramatic turn, Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has come out strongly in defence of his embattled deputy, Kenny Kunene, amid the swirling controversy surrounding his presence at the home of a suspect linked to the murder of DJ Sumbody.
Breaking his silence with a fiery statement, McKenzie said he is convinced Kunene was set up, and that the situation is being twisted to damage his deputy’s reputation. “Kenny Kunene would never involve himself with murderers,” McKenzie declared. “He has no links to any criminal activity, and I fully believe he was placed in a compromising position deliberately.”
Kunene has been at the centre of a political firestorm after it emerged that he was found at the residence of a man now facing accusations in the murder of popular musician and entrepreneur DJ Sumbody. The backlash led McKenzie to suspend Kunene from all Patriotic Alliance activities and remove him from his high-profile role as Johannesburg MMC for Transport, pending a 30-day investigation.
Now, however, McKenzie is striking a more personal tone, suggesting that the controversy may be part of a calculated smear campaign against Kunene — and possibly the party itself. While maintaining the need for due process, McKenzie emphasized his trust in Kunene’s character and intentions.
“He is being dragged into something he has no part in,” McKenzie said, while reaffirming the party’s commitment to transparency and discipline. “We will continue with the investigation, but I want it known: I believe Kenny is innocent.”
This latest development adds a complex layer to an already explosive political saga. With McKenzie now walking a fine line between enforcing internal accountability and defending his deputy’s honor, all eyes are on the PA — and the outcome of the investigation — to see whether this is indeed a case of guilt by association or a political setup at play.
