Kenny Kunene, Johannesburg’s MMC of Transport and the deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), has come under fire for a controversial tweet in which he threatened illegal miners. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemned the comments and announced plans to report him to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
In a statement, the EFF described Kunene’s remarks as “sadistic” and reflective of “electoral opportunism.” The party accused Kunene and his political party of using xenophobia as a cornerstone of their political rhetoric.
“His comments are inspired by electoral opportunism, as despite scientific and objective evidence that their rhetoric on foreign nationals does not lead to electoral success, he and his political party have committed themselves to using xenophobia as their political platform,” read the EFF’s statement.
Potential Consequences
The EFF announced that it would also report Kunene to the City of Johannesburg’s Ethics Committee, urging it to impose sanctions for his conduct. The party argued that his comments represent a dehumanizing approach to addressing societal challenges, such as illegal mining.
The tweet in question has drawn widespread criticism from political parties and human rights advocates, with calls for accountability and condemnation of hate speech.
Kunene’s Position
Kunene, a vocal political figure, has often been at the center of controversy for his statements and actions. This latest incident adds to his polarizing reputation, particularly as it involves allegations of incitement and xenophobia in a context already fraught with tensions around immigration and crime in South Africa.
Broader Implications
The incident underscores the divisive nature of political rhetoric in addressing illegal mining and foreign nationals in South Africa. With rising concerns over xenophobia and human rights violations, political leaders are increasingly scrutinized for their public comments and policy stances.
