Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has denied rumours that the party’s deputy, Kenny Kunene, is a member of the prison numbers gang. This comes after an image of the politician sporting a “26” tattoo went viral on social media.
Kunene was recently reinstated as Johannesburg’s MMC for transport after stepping down pending an investigation. This came after he was seen at the Sandton home of murder accused businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe.
KENNY KUNENE ‘IS NOT’ IN NUMBERS GANG
On the X app, an image of Kenny Kunene being reinstated as Johannesburg’s MMC for transport has gone viral for all the wrong reasons.
In the picture, Kunene is seen holding up his right arm as he takes an oath during the swearing-in ceremony. However, the image was Photoshopped to reveal a sleeve of tattoos, including the number “26,” associated with the prison numbers gang.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo retweeted the image, sharing: “The ANC was blackmailed by the numbers gang to reinstate the proxy of KT Molefe and Cat Matlala.
He added: “Our democracy is under siege.”
Thambo also posted a screenshot of a description of a “26” gang member, who is “responsible for acquiring wealth through theft and fraud”.
Gayton clapped back at the fake news report, tweeting: “Kenny Kunene doesn’t have tattoos”.
Directing his annoyance to the EFF MP and the party’s leader, Julius Malema – who is facing a prison sentence over an unlawful firearm offence – he continued: “No ideas or strategy except posting Photoshop pictures. I see you have lowered your ‘pandiet’ accusation. I wonder why
Gayton – a reformed criminal – added: “Pass my regards to CCIC, convicted commander in chief. I have a few survival tips for him”.
CRIMINAL PAST
Like Gayton McKenzie, Kenny Kunene also spent time in prison for a slew of offences.
In 1997, Kunene – a qualified teacher – was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and spent six years at the Grootvlei prison in Bloemfontein.
Before his imprisonment, he sold alcohol in an illegal shebeen after hours. Kunene claimed he was part of a violent gang that performed armed robberies.
Speaking to the Sunday Times in 2010, Kenny Kunene revealed he once tried to sell ivory illegally in Pretoria and was shot at by police in a hail of bullets.
Images via gayton.mckenzie.blogspot
He said: “We used to get involved in fraud, car theft, robberies. Now, when we do our talks to kids and schools, we say, ‘When we were criminals, we couldn’t enjoy our cars. We couldn’t drive them in the daylight.’”
Later, Kenny Kunene ran into another legal spat when he “unknowingly” registered himself as a director of several high-profile businesses. This contravened the SA Companies Act, which states that convicted fraudsters may not be directors of companies.
He said, “I didn’t know that was the rule. When I read this thing about [Tony] Yengeni, I started resigning all my directorships.”
In 2011, Kunene and Gayton McKenzie’s mining company, Central Rand Gold, was probed for fraud over allegations it used its political connections to swiftly secure mining rights.
In the years that followed, the company has also been accused of misleading investors with empty promises and using employee pensions to stay afloat.
