Gayton McKenzie Suspends Kenny Kunene Amid DJ Sumbody Murder Probe
In order to investigate his presence at the residence of a suspect in the DJ Sumbody murder case during a police raid on Monday, July 21, 2025, Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has suspended his deputy, Kenny Kunene, from his position as Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport and from party political activities for a period of one month.
A Startling Sandton Raid Incident
McKenzie discussed the controversy surrounding Kunene, who was discovered inside Katiso “KT” Molefe’s Sandton residence when police arrived to apprehend him in relation to the 2022 murder of well-known artist Oupa John Sefoka, also known as DJ Sumbody, in a live broadcast on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The investigation into the assassination of the well-liked Amapiano star, who was killed in a hail of bullets during a drive-by shooting in Woodmead, Johannesburg, on November 20, 2022, saw a significant breakthrough with the raid. Sefoka’s bodyguard Sandile Myeza and driver Sibusiso Mokoena were also slain, and another person was hurt.
McKenzie recounted Kunene’s explanation, saying, “He went to he first said, ‘You remember I told you about this this thing? I’m following up on some story.
I said yeah. You didn’t tell me the story. You just told me that there’s something big that you’re following up.” Kunene claimed he was at Molefe’s house to accompany a young journalist from his online news platform, Africa News Global, for an interview arranged through a contact named Jabu. “They sent him a location pin of the house that they were supposed to have met.
He said it’s his first time at the house. He’s never been to the house,” McKenzie explained. When police arrived, they questioned Kunene, checked his phone, and allowed him to leave after confirming he had no prior connection to Molefe
McKenzie’s Tough Decision to Suspend Kunene
Despite his personal belief in Kunene’s innocence, McKenzie announced the suspension, stating, “I’m going to remove him from becoming from being an MMC when I write to them. We I’m also going to tell him to stand back from politics for one month until the investigation is done. That’s the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life.” He added, “The party must always come first. And no one is bigger than the party.”
McKenzie emphasized that the PA would appoint a team of advocates and lawyers to investigate the matter within 30 days, promising to share the findings publicly. “I know he’s innocent. But that’s not enough. This is a murder is a serious thing,” he said, stressing the need for transparency. He also revealed a disagreement with Kunene, noting, “He doesn’t believe he was set up. I do. He says, ‘No, I wasn’t set up.’ I think you were set up. By who? I don’t know yet. I just know this thing smells like a setup.”
Details of the DJ Sumbody Murder Case
The police raid on Molefe’s plush Sandton residence was a significant step in the long-running probe into DJ Sumbody’s murder. The amapiano star, also a nightclub owner and rising entertainment figure, was gunned down in his blue Volkswagen GTI in a targeted attack that shocked the nation. Four men, aged between 45 and 60, were arrested in Gauteng on Monday, including three alleged hitmen—Musa Kekana, Tlego Floyd Mabusela, and former detective Michael Pule Tau—and Molefe, accused of orchestrating the hit.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has claimed Molefe is part of a “death squad” tied to drug cartels and underworld figures, with connections to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and tenderpreneur Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, implicated in scandals like the Tembisa Hospital fraud exposed by slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran.
Court records show Molefe has crossed South Africa’s borders over 150 times in the past 20 years, raising concerns about him being a flight risk. Prosecutors argue he poses a danger to investigators, citing attempts to involve high-ranking officials, including the head of the Hawks, to avoid arrest.
The SAPS Political Killings Task Team, backed by a presidential multi-agency force, led the operation. Despite facing challenges like alleged attempts to disband the team and interference from senior figures, it has handled over 600 politically related cases, leading to numerous arrests and convictions.
