Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has launched a scathing attack on Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene, accusing him of failing to address the city’s crumbling infrastructure. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Malema criticized Kunene’s handling of persistent issues such as potholes and malfunctioning traffic lights across the metro.
“Kunene can’t even fix potholes, let alone get the traffic lights working,” said Malema. “He’s completely out of his depth and has no plan to solve the crisis.”
Malema’s comments reflect growing public frustration over the deteriorating state of Johannesburg’s roads and traffic systems. Potholes are widespread, damaging vehicles and increasing congestion, while broken traffic lights have turned intersections into dangerous chaos zones.
Kunene, who was appointed through the multiparty coalition running the city, has faced mounting criticism from political rivals and residents alike for the slow pace of repairs and the lack of visible progress. Malema’s criticism adds to the pressure on Kunene to produce tangible results.
In response, Kunene brushed off the comments, calling them political grandstanding. “Malema is just trying to score cheap political points,” Kunene said in a brief statement. “We are working tirelessly to address these challenges, but it takes time.”
For residents like Thandi Mokoena, a community leader from Soweto, patience is wearing thin. “Every day we drive on roads full of potholes, and it feels like nothing is being done. The traffic lights haven’t worked in months—it’s dangerous,” Mokoena said.
Political analysts believe Malema’s remarks could be part of a broader strategy to position the EFF as a viable alternative to the current coalition government ahead of the next municipal elections.
“Malema is a master of tapping into public frustration,” said political analyst Sizwe Ndlela. “By highlighting everyday issues like bad roads and broken traffic lights, he’s portraying the EFF as the party that truly listens to the people.”
As Johannesburg’s infrastructure problems persist, pressure is building on Kunene’s administration to deliver solutions quickly. Whether Malema’s criticism will prompt real change or further deepen political divides remains to be seen.