Kenny Kunene threatens legal action against Sinawo Thambo over social media claims

The Star has seen a letter of demand in which Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene is threatening to take legal action against EFF MP Sinawo Thambo over social media posts linking him to murder accused Katiso Molefe.

The legal letter, dated 11 October 2025, demands that Thambo retract a series of posts he made on platform X and issue a public apology within 48 hours. Kunene’s legal team argues that the posts are defamatory and intended to damage his public image.

The controversy stems from posts made by Thambo on 8 and 10 October, in which he alleged that Kunene paid Molefe’s R400,000 bail, awarded him bus operating tenders through the Rea Vaya transport system, and visited Molefe’s home on two occasions. He also accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of reinstating Kunene as Johannesburg’s transport MMC despite these alleged links to Molefe.

Kunene’s lawyers have strongly denied these claims and are demanding immediate action to stop what they describe as a campaign of public misinformation. They argue that Thambo’s statements “contain unsubstantiated allegations of unlawful conduct and criminality” and that the EFF MP’s comments are crafted to incite the public and tarnish Kunene’s reputation.

The letter, seen by The Star, warns that if Thambo does not comply by Tuesday morning, legal proceedings will follow. These include a civil lawsuit for damages, the letter states.

Kunene’s reputation on the line

The legal team says Kunene has spent more than two decades building his career in business and politics, and that these recent claims have caused serious harm to both his professional and personal reputation.

“Our client is a respected public servant and businessman,” the letter reads. “He currently holds office in the City of Johannesburg. The posts in question are not only false but have directly harmed his dignity, reputation, and standing in society.”

Kunene’s lawyers also claim that the posts have prompted widespread speculation, with members of the public and the media repeatedly asking him to explain allegations that, according to them, have no factual basis.

The letter demands that Thambo “cease and desist” from publishing any further statements that could be viewed as defamatory or misleading and urges him to prevent third parties from doing so on his behalf.

Parliament exchange fuels the fire

The legal warning comes just days after a tense exchange during a parliamentary committee session on Friday. Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola told MPs that Kunene had been spotted at Molefe’s home on two occasions, once inside the property and once being turned away at the gate.

The statement caused a stir in the committee. PA MP Ashley Sauls accused Masemola of spreading unverified information and insisted that the commissioner should have used the term “alleged.” Sauls further accused the police of lying, without offering proof to support his claim.

The matter has since sparked intense public debate, with political parties and social media users weighing in on the connection between Molefe and senior PA leaders.

Allegations in Thambo’s posts

In his social media posts, Thambo said that Molefe, a PA member, was arrested for two separate murder cases, one of which involved DJ Sumbody and his bodyguards. He claimed Kunene was present during one of the arrests and that Molefe was able to secure bail despite the serious charges.

Thambo also alleged that Kunene awarded Molefe tenders related to the Rea Vaya bus network and that the two had been seen together at various venues, including the Diplomat Club and Moja Café.

Kunene has denied all the allegations.