Gayton McKenzie hires top law firm to probe Kenny Kunene’s alleged criminal ties

Why the investigation matters

When a senior politician is caught in a situation that hints at criminal connections, the fallout can ripple through an entire party. Gayton McKenzie, the charismatic head of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), decided to bring in Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr – a law firm that’s handled some of South Africa’s most delicate corporate and political probes. By doing so, he signals that the PA wants the public to see a clear, impartial process, not a quick cover‑up.

The controversy started in July 2025, when Kenny Kunene was seen at the Sandton house of Katiso "KT" Molefe during a police operation. Molefe is under investigation for allegedly ordering the assassination of Oupa "DJ Sumbody" Sefoka, a beloved DJ and club owner whose death sparked national outrage. The image of Kunene at Molefe’s door raised eyebrows and set off a media storm.

What the probe will cover

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has outlined a multi‑step plan to untangle the web of relationships. First, they will interview anyone who was present at Molefe’s residence that night – from security staff to neighboring tenants. Second, the firm will request financial records, property deeds, and any contracts that link Kunene to Molefe’s business empire. Finally, they’ll assess whether any personal ties – friendships, family connections, or shared ventures – could have compromised Kunene’s role as deputy president.

The law firm’s reputation rests on thoroughness. In past cases, it has traced hidden shareholdings and exposed money‑laundering routes that other investigators missed. For the PA, this means the investigation won’t stop at the obvious; it will dig into emails, bank statements, and even social‑media messages to see if there’s a pattern of collusion.

While the investigation runs, McKenzie has placed Kunene on an indefinite suspension. This move has split the PA’s ranks: some members argue that the deputy should be removed immediately to protect the party’s image, while others warn that acting too fast could undermine the principle of due process.

Political analysts note that the outcome could have a domino effect. If Kunene is cleared, the PA might regain lost momentum ahead of the next election cycle. But a damning report could force the party to distance itself from a figure now linked to a high‑profile murder case, potentially shaking voter confidence.

Beyond the immediate party politics, the case raises a broader question for South African governance: how should political parties handle members who are found near individuals suspected of serious crimes? The PA’s decision to outsource the inquiry to a respected firm might set a new benchmark for transparency, encouraging other parties to adopt similar measures.

Regardless of the final report, the investigation will keep the nation’s eyes glued to the courtroom and boardrooms where power, money, and influence intersect. As the story unfolds, South Africans will be watching not only for answers about Kunene and Molefe but also for signs of how the country’s political culture is evolving in the face of scandal.

19 Comments

Aaron Leclaire
September 27, 2025 AT 02:51

This is just political theater.
Steve Cox
September 27, 2025 AT 13:34

I mean, come on. We’ve seen this movie before. A politician hires a fancy law firm to make it look like they’re doing something, but everyone knows the real goal is to stall until the public forgets. It’s not about transparency-it’s about optics. And now they’re suspending Kunene? That’s not due process, that’s damage control dressed up in a suit. The PA wants to look clean, but they’re still the same party that let this guy rise in the first place. They didn’t ask questions when he was handing out cash to local gangs for votes. Now they’re shocked he’s connected to someone under investigation for murder? Wake up. This isn’t a scandal-it’s a pattern. And the media? They’re just here for the clicks. No one actually cares about justice. They care about the next viral clip.
Mitch Roberts
September 28, 2025 AT 00:12

YOOO this is wild!! Like imagine being at a party and your bro gets dragged into a murder case and suddenly everyone’s like ‘oh no we must investigate’ 😭😭 I’m just here for the drama but also… maybe the PA is actually trying? idk maybe I’m naive but I kinda respect the move? 🤷‍♂️
Mark Venema
September 29, 2025 AT 02:57

The decision to engage Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr demonstrates a commendable commitment to institutional integrity. Independent, third-party investigations are essential in preserving public trust, particularly in contexts where political affiliations may compromise impartiality. The procedural rigor outlined-financial audits, testimonial corroboration, and digital forensics-aligns with best practices in corporate governance and ethical accountability. This approach, if sustained, could serve as a model for other political entities navigating similar crises.
Jasvir Singh
September 29, 2025 AT 19:47

This is actually a good step. Many parties in SA would just sweep it under the rug. Kunene might be guilty, might not be, but giving the law firm space to do their job? That’s maturity. I hope the public gives them time. Rushing to judgment helps no one. We need facts, not headlines.
Brian Walko
October 1, 2025 AT 19:06

I appreciate the measured approach. It’s easy to call for immediate removals, but that’s not how justice works. Due process isn’t a luxury-it’s the foundation. If Kunene is innocent, the party owes him that. If he’s guilty, the evidence will show it. Either way, this is how institutions should respond.
Derrek Wortham
October 2, 2025 AT 03:22

Okay but did anyone see the security cam footage? Because I heard from a friend of a friend who works at the Sandton police station that Kunene was there because he was trying to warn Molefe that the police were coming. And then he got caught on camera holding a coffee cup that had a hidden chip in it? And the chip had encrypted messages about the DJ’s death? I’m not saying he did it, but… why was he even there? And why is no one talking about the 3 unmarked vans that showed up 10 minutes before the raid? #DeepState
Zara Lawrence
October 3, 2025 AT 08:12

Let’s be honest-this entire investigation is a distraction. The real story is that the PA is terrified of losing their funding from the same shadowy networks that bankrolled the ANC’s worst excesses. Kunene is just a pawn. The law firm? Probably already been paid off. I’ve seen this script before: the ‘independent’ probe, the ‘impartial’ findings, the quiet exoneration. It’s all choreographed. The only difference this time? The public is watching. And they’re not buying it.
Ashley Hasselman
October 5, 2025 AT 08:02

Oh wow. A politician doing something that doesn’t look like a lie? Shocking. Next they’ll say they’re not on the payroll of mining conglomerates. 🙄
Kelly Ellzey
October 6, 2025 AT 07:47

I just… I feel like we’re all so tired of this. Like, we’ve seen this exact thing in every country, every time. Someone gets close to power, then they get close to danger, then someone says ‘let’s investigate’ and everyone claps like it’s a miracle. But the truth? Nothing changes. The system just resets. And the people? We just keep hoping. Maybe this time. Maybe this time it’ll be different. But deep down? We know it won’t. Still… I hope I’m wrong. 🤞
maggie barnes
October 6, 2025 AT 09:18

This is so predictable. Kunene’s a clown who thinks he’s a king. PA should’ve fired him the second he showed up at that house. Now they’re doing a ‘probe’? Please. That’s just code for ‘we’re too scared to act.’ And don’t even get me started on Cliffe Dekker-half their partners used to work for the ANC’s dirty money team. This isn’t transparency. It’s a PR stunt with a fancy logo.
mahak bansal
October 7, 2025 AT 16:56

The investigation is necessary but not sufficient. What matters is what happens after. Will the PA publish the full report? Will they allow independent oversight? Or will this be buried like the others? The process is good. The follow-through is what counts.
Lewis Hardy
October 9, 2025 AT 00:37

I don’t know much about South African politics, but I do know this: when someone is connected to a murder investigation, even by association, it’s not just a political problem-it’s a moral one. I hope Kunene gets a fair shot, but I also hope the party doesn’t wait until the evidence is undeniable to act. Sometimes, silence is complicity.
Prakash.s Peter
October 9, 2025 AT 19:42

Let me clarify: the PA’s decision is a textbook case of performative governance. Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr? A firm with a 47% client overlap with the former ruling party’s financial intermediaries. The suspension of Kunene? A tactical maneuver to preserve elite legitimacy. The public is being manipulated into believing proceduralism equals accountability. It does not. The real accountability lies in structural reform-not legal theater.
ria ariyani
October 11, 2025 AT 15:51

Okay so I just watched the video of Kunene at the house again… and I swear he looked at the camera like he knew it was being recorded?? And then the dog barked three times right after he walked in?? That’s not normal. That’s a signal. I’m telling you, this is all part of a bigger code. Someone’s running a secret society out of Sandton. I’ve seen the patterns. We’re not ready for what’s coming.
Emily Nguyen
October 12, 2025 AT 22:31

This isn’t about justice. This is about brand management. The PA’s voter base is slipping. They need a villain to blame, a scapegoat to purge. Kunene’s convenient. The law firm? Just the PR veneer. The real agenda? To rebrand the party as ‘clean’ without actually cleaning anything up. The people who voted for this party because they thought it was different? They’re gonna get burned again.
Ruben Figueroa
October 14, 2025 AT 02:37

LMAO 😂 so now the PA’s got a law firm to ‘investigate’… but they still haven’t fired him? That’s like hiring a detective to find out if your wife cheated… then letting her keep sleeping in your bed. Bro. Just fire him. Or don’t. But stop pretending this is about integrity. It’s not. It’s about saving face. And the face? It’s ugly.
Gabriel Clark
October 14, 2025 AT 10:01

I’m from South Africa, and I’ve watched this country go through too many scandals where the only thing that changes is the name on the press release. This probe could be a turning point-if the PA actually commits to transparency. Publish everything. Let civil society review it. No redactions. No delays. If they do that, maybe we can start rebuilding trust. But if they don’t? Then this was never about justice. It was about survival.
Elizabeth Price
October 16, 2025 AT 03:11

I’ve reviewed the financial disclosures from 2023 to 2025. Kunene’s shell companies have overlapping directors with Molefe’s property holdings. The timing of the asset transfers coincides with the DJ’s murder investigation. This isn’t coincidence. It’s a pattern. And the PA’s ‘probe’? It’s already compromised by the fact that they hired a firm that didn’t disclose prior engagements with Kunene’s associates. This isn’t an investigation-it’s a cover-up with a legal team.