By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Liam Jacobs, who made the switch to the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to replace Kenny Kunene as a City of Johannesburg councillor.
It is expected that Jacobs will also take up the role of MMC for transport in the city.
Kunene recently resigned as transport MMC and councillor and his party placed him on special leave pending an investigation into alleged links to murder suspect Katiso “KT” Molefe.
During a Facebook live stream from London, PA leader Gayton McKenzie, confirmed Jacobs’s appointment.
McKenzie emphasised that this strategic move is intended to provide Jacobs with vital hands-on experience in local government.
The ultimate goal, he stated, is to bolster Jacobs’s skills in preparation for a prospective run as the PA’s mayoral candidate in Tshwane during the 2026 local government elections.
McKenzie openly discussed the challenging decisions facing the party.
He confirmed plans to engage with Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero today, regarding Kunene’s departure.
Jacobs served as a DA MP since the 2024 elections in the portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture.
His journey took a turn when he joined the PA in June in a surprise move after clashing with McKenzie in parliament during a committee meeting. Despite that, Jacobs said he felt welcomed in the PA.