Kenny Kunene. (File photo by Gallo Images / Lefty Shivambu)
Well-known businessman Kenny Kunene has denied staging his own attempted assassination, saying it was God’s grace that saved him from the plans of murderers. Kunene said he was lucky to have survived the rain of bullets unharmed and now he got to tell his story.
“God’s Grace and Mercy di hlola baloi le babolayi [they conquered witches and murderers]. We give you Glory n Praise me dear God in Jesus name. Thank you my Father,” he said.
Kunene told The Sowetan the BMW 125i he was travelling in was shot at at least 13 times by two gunmen in Waverley, northern Johannesburg, on Tuesday evening. The number of shots fired were initially reported to be 21, but police said 12 casings were found. The car belonged to Kunene’s friend.
The sushi king said he still did not know who would want him dead, as he did not owe anyone money and did “clean business”.
Responding to critics who said he staged his own hit to make Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa look bad after his friend and Sunday Independent Steve Motale published a story about his alleged extramarital affairs, Kunene said linking the shooting with the story was “the only reasonable explanation”.
He, however, admitted that it seemed “irresponsible”.
Kunene told the publication the hitmen could have thought he was with Motale in the car on Tuesday evening. “Or maybe I was also a target, and they happened to track me,” he was quoted as saying.
The businessman was shot at while driving a car in Johannesburg.
Though some have speculated it was a hijacking gone wrong, some speculated it may have been related to media stories about Ramaphosa.
Several bullets were allegedly fired at the car, many of which left visible damage on a blue BMW. Kunene was travelling with a female passenger. No one was injured.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters confirmed there was evidence at the scene of a shooting, as spent cartridges had been found. However, she was unable to confirm any specific details as to the motive and nature of the alleged crime, and said investigations were still under way to establish the facts.
According to Kunene, Motale had been meant to be travelling in the car with him, but bodyguards moved Motale to another vehicle prior to their departure.
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