Cape Town –The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has welcomed a court ruling that found Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene guilty of hate speech for referring to EFF leader Julius Malema as a “cockroach”.
The Gauteng High Court upheld the Equality Court’s 2023 decision, affirming that Kunene’s remarks violated the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
“The EFF has always maintained that Kunene, alongside his political leader, represents the failure of the Correctional Services system in South Africa to rehabilitate convicts,” the party said in a statement.
EFF Welcomes Gauteng High Court Ruling Reaffirming Kenny Kunene’s Guilt Of Hate Speech For Utterances Against CIC @Julius_S_Malema
The EFF has always maintained that Kenny Kunene, alongside his political leader are a representation of the failure of the Correctional Services… pic.twitter.com/96ySLSAjb1
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 5, 2025
In a televised interview on November 17, 2021, Kunene made derogatory comments about Malema, including calling him a “cockroach” multiple times. The court emphasised that the term “cockroach” is historically associated with genocidal rhetoric and is inherently offensive, regardless of the context in which it is used.
However, the court did not find Kunene’s other remarks, such as referring to Malema as a “little frog” and a “criminal,” to constitute hate speech.
As part of the ruling, Kunene is required to issue a public apology to Malema within 30 days and is prohibited from using the term “cockroach” to refer to him in the future. Additionally, Kunene has been ordered to pay the legal costs associated with the case. As reported by News24.
[BREAKING NEWS]
KENNY KUNENE LOSES CASE AGAINST CIC JULIUS MALEMA‼️‼️‼️
Kenny Kunene, Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance and recently suspended Johannesburg MMC amid serious allegations including drug trafficking, has suffered a legal blow in his case against… pic.twitter.com/IVw0v5PKik
— 🇿🇦 Apostle Dr D Mekgwe🇹🇼 (@ApostleDeza) August 5, 2025
The EFF has expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, viewing it as a significant affirmation of the need to combat hate speech in South African politics.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
