Liam Jacobs replaces Kenny Kunene in Johannesburg Council

Patriotic Alliance president Gayton McKenzie has unveiled former DA and now PA member, Liam Jacobs, as suspended Kenny Kunene's replacement in the City of Johannesburg Council.

This revelation comes as the City of Joburg Speaker of council, Margaret Arnolds, indicated that she is awaiting word from the Patriotic Alliance (PA) leadership following the recent resignation of Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Kenny Kunene.

This as the DA in the city has called for an investigation into the tenders awarded under Kunene's tenure.

In a video statement, McKenzie indicates that Jacobs, who is the party's rising star, will be its suitable candidate as the party seeks to effect change in the country's biggest metro, the City of Johannesburg.

"The Patriotic Alliance is deploying Liam Jacobs as the new councilor for the Patriotic Alliance in the City of Johannesburg. Liam will be our new deployee in the City of Joburg by the party to replace Kenny Kunene in the council. We want him to get the experience and help us fix the potholes and continue the good work that our deputy president has been doing. Congratulations to Liam. This is an opportunity to show people that you just do not complain and point out mistakes. This is your chance now to show people that you can lead," McKenzie stated.

Last week, Kunene resigned from his position as MMC for Transport after he was reportedly found at the residence of a known criminal, Katiso Molefe, during a raid by the police.

In a letter to the Speaker of Council, Kunene stated that he is stepping down as both MMC and a Patriotic Alliance (PA) councilor, following allegations and public scrutiny linking him to an alleged member of a murder syndicate, Katiso “KT” Molefe, who has been linked to the murder of Oupa 'Dj Sumbody' Sefoka.

Kunene's alleged association with criminals has sparked outrage within the city council, with DA caucus leader in the City of Joburg, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, having called for the treasury and the Special Investigative Unit to investigate possible corruption in the awarding of tenders in the City of Joburg.

"The award of those contracts and the investigation that we want should also verify if there was undue influence that Kenny Kunene has had over the awarding of those contracts. We want to know whether those contracts were awarded to politically aligned individuals and contractors," she said.

It is not clear if McKenzie has formally informed the Speaker of the council. However, in a statement on Monday, the office of the Speaker stated: "As the Mayor stated, the matter is now subject to police investigation. The only thing the Speaker will do is to wait for the Patriotic Alliance to communicate who they nominate to replace Mr. Kenny Kunene as a PR Councilor in the City."

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za