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By Cornelia Le Roux

Digital Deputy News Editor


Gloves off: ‘Sushi King’ Kunene lashes out at DA’s Msimanga [WATCH]

Kunene accused Msimanga of being reluctant to work alongside the PA and frequently offending his party.


The Patriotic Alliance’s (PA’s) deputy president Kenny Kunene tore into Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga in a foul-mouthed Twitter tirade on Sunday.

In his rant peppered with expletives, Kunene told Msimanga “you’re Gupta”, claiming that he was “captured” by Malawian businessman Simbi Phiri during his stint as Tshwane mayor from 2016 to 2019.

In the video clip, the PA deputy also issues a warning to Msimanga that he will “never put us in a corner… we operate in a rondavel”.

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PA leadership: Kenny Kunene and Gayton McKenzie

Controversial businessman, ex-convict and so-called “Sushi King”, Kunene, was appointed as mayoral committee member (MMC)  for Roads and Transport in the City of Johannesburg in February this year.

Kenny Kunene, left, and Gayton McKenzie at the launch of McKenzie’s book ‘Trapped’ in Sandton. Photo: Tracy Lee Stark

Kunene and ex-convict Gayton McKenzie, who is the president of the PA, founded the political party in 2013 to contest the following year’s national and provincial elections.

PA’s role in multiparty coalition

In January, the PA left the opposition alliance of the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to join the DA-led multiparty coalition. 

The PA, however, has lately been threatening to switch sides again.

ALSO READ: SA coalitions prove ‘there is a maturity that is lacking with our politics’

Kunene vs Msimanga: ‘You called us Judases’

Kunene kicks off his public dressing down of Msimanga by accusing the DA Gauteng leader of expressing reluctance to work alongside the PA. He also claims that Msimanga frequently offended his party.

In this file photo, DA Gauteng leader and former Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga is seen at Tshwane City Chambers on 30 August 2018. Photo: Nigel Sibanda

“It’s not the first time you called us rent seekers. You called us Judases. Now you are telling us how shunned we have been… that we have no options. Solly Msimanga, you can never put us in a corner, we operate in a rondavel,” Kunene said.

In his lengthy accusation that Msimanga was “captured” by Phiri, Kunene hauls the DA leader over the coals for allegedly giving the controversial Malawian businessman’s construction company Khato Civils “work in Tshwane”.

WATCH: Kenny Kunene’s Twitter tirade

WARNING: Explicit language contained in the featured video clip.

ActionSA calls for multiparty coalition stability

According to EWN, Kunene and Msimanga are set to meet at the negotiating table, with ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont calling on the two parties to bury the hatchet to maintain the coalition’s stability.

ActionSA spearheaded negotiations with the PA to join the multiparty coalition at the beginning of this year.

Sushi King’s fishing expedition into politics

Kunene was an English teacher before he served six years in jail for fraud in 1997 after being convicted of running a Ponzi scheme.

In this file photo, Kenny Kunene poses with bikini-clad models at his Johannesburg home on 12 April 2013. Picture: Gallo Images

Prior to entering the political scene, he earned himself the title of South Africa’s “Sushi King” for frequenting high-end clubs and eating sushi off scantily dressed models.

ALSO READ: Kenny Kunene: I sent an email to Guptas, but I’m funding myself

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