Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene has sparked political controversy by alleging that EFF leader Julius Malema moved in the same social circles as the late taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi and accused businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe .
Allegations of Close Associations
Speaking on the Podcast and Chill with MacG, Kunene claimed Malema frequently visited Mswazi’s farm in Dinokeng late at night, sometimes driving there at midnight or 2 am when called . He alleged Malema would leave other engagements to travel to the property and was part of Mswazi’s inner circle .
Kunene questioned how Malema could label others as criminals while having maintained a friendship with Mswazi, who has since been implicated at the Madlanga Commission as the alleged “president” of a criminal network dubbed “The Firm” . He also claimed Malema and Molefe are close friends .
Mswazi’s Background and Funeral
Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi was a towering figure in South Africa’s taxi industry and served for decades as a leader in taxi associations before his death in January 2024 . His funeral drew significant attendance, including Malema and former Police Minister Bheki Cele, underscoring his influence in both business and political circles .
Testimony before the Madlanga Commission has alleged that Msibi was identified as the leader of the “Big Five” cartel, under whose umbrella an organised crime network allegedly operated . The cartel is alleged to have engaged in extortion, murder, tender fraud, and infiltration of the justice system . Msibi was never criminally convicted, and the claims remain allegations based on sworn testimony .
KT Molefe’s Legal Troubles
Katiso “KT” Molefe is a Johannesburg businessman now facing multiple murder and organised crime charges in the High Court, with his case postponed to 12 March 2026 . He and his co-accused face 35 charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of firearms .
The charges relate to the killing of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody, who was murdered in November 2022 in Woodmead . Forensic evidence allegedly links the high-calibre rifles used in DJ Sumbody’s murder to several other high-profile killings, including those of Hector Buthelezi (DJ Vintos), Don Tindleni, and Armand Swart .
In October 2025, the High Court granted Molefe R400,000 bail despite the State arguing he had the influence and resources to evade justice or interfere with witnesses .
Madlanga Commission Testimony
The Madlanga Commission has heard testimony linking these figures. A police investigator identified as Witness A testified that he was warned by Gauteng crime investigation service head Maj-Gen Richard Shibiri that Molefe was part of a group of five men with mining interests in North West, some allegedly connected to Mswazi . Shibiri allegedly spoke about links between the suspect, a man identified as Zee Nxumalo, Malema, and suspended national deputy police commissioner Gen Shadrack Sibiya .
“He said Zee is a close friend of Julius Malema, who is a politician who tends to be close to Gen Sibiya. He was connecting the person we arrested to Zee, then Zee to Malema, who is friends with Gen Sibiya,” Witness A testified .
Another witness, identified as Witness F, testified in February 2026 that he was raised by Mswazi from primary school until matric, describing him as a father figure .
Political Reactions
Social media users have reacted strongly to Kunene’s claims. Some questioned Kunene’s own associations, with @Swiiiiiiidad_7 commenting: “Malema was friends with Mswazi. So, as Kenny kept receiving money from Mswazi, and even the heists that Kenny and his friends used to do were protected by Mswazi. Why isn’t he telling us about that?”
Others defended Malema, with @Nthambemasera stating: “One can be friends with criminals, it doesn’t make them one” .
Kunene himself has faced scrutiny over his own connections. Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola testified before a parliamentary inquiry that Kunene was found at Molefe’s residence twice, including during the arrest . Kunene has publicly stated he was accompanying a journalist to interview Molefe at the time . He stepped down as a City of Johannesburg councillor to allow his party to investigate and was subsequently cleared and reinstated .
The EFF has dismissed Kunene’s characterisations, framing them as political point-scoring aimed at discrediting the party ahead of the 2026 elections . As this political drama unfolds, both sides are gearing up for a heated contest of narratives with implications for South Africa’s broader political landscape .
