Gayton McKenzie calls out ‘desperate haters’ behind Kunene tattoo hoax

Kunene

Cape Town – Kenny Kunene has been re-sworn in as the City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, following weeks of political tension between the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the African National Congress (ANC).

His return comes shortly after a fake photo circulated online, falsely claiming he bore tattoos linked to South Africa’s notorious “numbers gangs.”

According to News24, Kunene’s reinstatement followed a meeting between PA leader Gayton McKenzie and the ANC’s Gauteng leadership, where the parties agreed to “resolve misunderstandings” around Kunene’s suspension.

McKenzie told the publication that a law firm appointed to investigate Kunene’s alleged misconduct had “cleared him of any wrongdoing.”

“I have always believed in my brother’s innocence,” McKenzie was quoted as saying. “I want to thank the ANC for the manner in which we sorted out our disagreements.”

Kunene had temporarily stepped down earlier this year after being spotted at the Sandton home of murder-accused businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe.

As reported by The South African, the City of Johannesburg commissioned an independent investigation to assess whether his visit had compromised the integrity of his office. The review ultimately found no evidence of misconduct, paving the way for his reappointment.

Shortly after the announcement, a manipulated image began circulating on social media, appearing to show Kunene with a sleeve tattoo featuring the number “26” — a symbol associated with prison gangs. The image sparked backlash from political opponents, with EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo posting on X: “The ANC was blackmailed by the numbers gang to reinstate the proxy of KT Molefe and Cat Matlala.”

Responding to the post, McKenzie publicly dismissed the image as fake, saying, “Kenny Kunene doesn’t have tattoos. This is the work of desperate people.” Kunene himself also took to social media, stating, “People will always try to bring you down when you stand tall. But truth will always win.”

The Patriotic Alliance maintained that the controversy was an attempt to “tarnish Kunene’s reputation” and destabilise the party’s coalition partnership with the ANC.

Kunene, speaking during the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, said he was “grateful for the trust placed in me once again” and committed to focusing on “stabilising the city’s transport network and restoring accountability.”

“I’m back to serve the people of Johannesburg,” he said. “Politics aside, service delivery must continue.”

The reappointment appears to have eased tensions within the city’s fragile coalition government, which had faced the risk of collapse after McKenzie threatened to pull out of the unity arrangement.

That threat was withdrawn after the ANC and PA reached consensus on Kunene’s return.

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