New face in Joburg Council as Jacobs replaces Kunene

Liam Jacobs

Cape Town – Former DA MP Liam Jacobs, who recently joined the Patriotic Alliance (PA), will take over the City of Joburg council seat left vacant by Kenny Kunene’s resignation.

Kunene, the PA’s deputy president and a mayoral committee member, stepped down after being found at the home of a murder suspect, Katiso Molefe, during the latter’s arrest.

“We want him (Jacobs) to get the experience and to help us fix the potholes and continue the good work that the dp [deputy president] has been doing,” said McKenzie

PA president Gayton McKenzie, speaking via Facebook Live on Monday night, maintained his belief that Kunene was set up but stressed the need for a transparent investigation.

A law firm will be appointed within 48 hours to probe the incident.

McKenzie denied knowing Molefe or having any personal connection to him. He questioned the credibility of social media images showing him and Kunene alongside Molefe.

“Why are you dragging me in there? I don’t know that man that Kenny was sitting with. I don’t have that man’s number. I don’t have a picture of that man. I don’t know that man, he doesn’t know me. We don’t hang out. I’ve never hung out with that man,” he said.

He also said that Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero will be consulted on Kunene’s resignation, though the final decision on a new mayoral committee member lies with Morero.

Jacobs is expected to gain local government experience ahead of a 2026 Tshwane mayoral run.

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