By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president, Kenny Kunene makes a dramatic comeback as the councillor for the City of Johannesburg.
This comes after his party cleared him of any wrongdoing after he was suspended.
Kunene was found with the murder suspect at the time of his arrest at his Sandton home.
PA leader Gayton McKenzie gave the ANC an ultimatum, threatening to pull out of coalitions—including the Government of National Unity (GNU)—unless Kunene is reinstated.
Following his suspension by PA and he subsequently resigned from his position as MMC for Transport in the City.
The position of MMC of Transport has been vacant since Kunene resigned.
An external law firm, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, conducted the probe and released its findings on 23 September 2025, exonerating Kunene with witness testimony corroborating his account.
Joburg mayor Dada Morero has been under pressure to reappoint Kunene. The PA is part of the coalition that is keeping the him in power in the metro.
The swearing-in ceremony was presided by Council Speaker Margaret Arnolds on Thursday, 26 September 2025.
“I, Thapelo Kenneth Kunene, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa. And will obey, respect, and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic.”
Kunene, addressing the media post-swearing-in, expressed relief and determination to serve, saying the ordeal had strengthened his resolve.
Johannesburg’s ANC-EFF-PA coalition holds 82 seats in the 145-seat council, with the PA’s three votes crucial. A pullout could drop it to 79, forcing reliance on the DA’s 50 seats.