The political future of flamboyant Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene hangs in the balance after he was found at the Sandton home of a murder suspect during a police raid linked to the assassination of amapiano star Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for Kunene’s immediate resignation, accusing him of fraternising with underworld figures after he was discovered at the residence of Katiso “KT” Molefe—one of the suspects arrested on Monday for the 2022 killing of DJ Sumbody.

The dramatic arrest, carried out by a joint operation between Gauteng Organised Crime Detectives and the elite SAPS Political Killings Task Team, has led to the apprehension of four suspects, including Molefe, alleged to have ordered the fatal hit.

Police Breakthrough in DJ Sumbody Case

Police confirmed on Monday that they had arrested three suspected hitmen and the alleged mastermind behind the assassination of DJ Sumbody and two of his bodyguards—Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza—in a high-profile breakthrough after almost three years of painstaking investigation.

A firearm recovered during the arrest has been linked to multiple other murders, confirming suspicions of the suspects’ involvement in broader organised crime activity. The arrests mark a significant milestone in efforts to dismantle hit-for-hire networks operating in Gauteng and across the country.

The four suspects are due to appear at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, facing three counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola hailed the operation as a major win in the fight against organised and politically linked crime.

“This is one of those complex cases that required detailed work to ensure a strong case is presented in court. We commend the teams for their perseverance,” said Masemola.

Kunene at Scene Sparks Political Uproar

According to sources close to the investigation, Kunene, also the Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president, was not the target of the operation and was not arrested. He remained on the scene briefly, provided a statement to police, and was released.

Kunene later claimed in a live interview that he was merely accompanying a journalist to the meeting, a claim the DA has rejected outright.

“No Kenny, you were not at a murder suspect’s house to ‘drive a journalist there’,” said DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku. “The MMC for Transport being at the home of a murder accused at the time of his arrest is not just suspicious—it is outrageous and untenable.”

The DA has now demanded Kunene’s immediate resignation, calling on Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero to fire him if he refuses to step down.

“Once a figure like Kunene associates with murder suspects, there is no law he will be afraid to break,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku. “The City cannot be governed by people connected to the criminal underworld.”

EFF Weighs In – Calls for NPA Action and Backs SAPS Task Team

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also welcomed the breakthrough, warning against any efforts to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team, which has been instrumental in securing arrests in DJ Sumbody’s murder and other high-profile cases.

“Instead of strengthening this effective task team, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was attempting to disband it. That only serves the interests of criminal syndicates and corrupt politicians,” the party said in a statement.

They demanded that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) handle the case with integrity and avoid the missteps of previous high-profile failures.

“We demand that the NPA create a compelling case, work professionally, and bring those responsible to book in a swift manner,” the EFF said.

Mkhwanazi’s Warning and National Spotlight

The arrests come days after General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi—former KZN Police Commissioner and now a top advisor—issued a stern warning about efforts to weaken the SAPS Political Killings Task Team. He said certain senior officials were undermining the task team due to its proximity to politically sensitive investigations.

Mkhwanazi’s concerns were dismissed by Minister Mchunu, but this week’s developments appear to vindicate his warning, reinforcing the argument that politically linked crime remains a systemic threat.

“The Task Team is not just necessary—it is indispensable. Disbanding it would be a betrayal of families like DJ Sumbody’s who are still seeking justice,” said the EFF.

Growing Pressure on PA and Coalition Stability

Kunene’s appearance at Molefe’s home is the latest scandal to rock the fragile coalition governing Johannesburg. The Patriotic Alliance, which has been accused of harbouring individuals with links to organised crime, faces increasing scrutiny over its leadership and role in local governance.

Already, the DA has compared Kunene’s situation to that of Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, who faced calls to resign over criminal investigations last year.

“The Executive Mayor’s office must be beyond reproach. We warned about this when Gwamanda was under investigation. The same applies to Kunene,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.

Molefe and Co in Court

The arrested suspects, aged between 45 and 60, are believed to be part of a coordinated hit squad that carried out DJ Sumbody’s assassination in a hail of bullets in Woodmead, Johannesburg, in November 2022.

The motive behind the killing remains under investigation, though sources close to the probe believe it may have been linked to disputes over entertainment business dealings and alleged underworld rivalries.
With their court appearance set for Tuesday, the focus now shifts to the legal proceedings and the potential for further arrests or political fallout.

SAPS Statement

“This is a culmination of hard work and dedication to justice,” said SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. “The team has done well to arrest the suspects, seize the firearm used, and ensure that justice takes its course.”

For now, public attention remains fixed on both the court case and the controversial role of Kenny Kunene, who insists he has done nothing wrong.

But for many, the question remains: What was the MMC for Transport doing at the home of a murder suspect?