Dada Morero Laments Lack Of Jurisdiction As Kenny Kunene Quits Suddenly

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says the citys Council has no authority to take action against embattled Patriotic Alliance PA Deputy President Kenny Kunene following his resignation as a councillor on Saturday 26 July.

Kunene also quit as Member of Mayoral Committee MMC for Transport after the PA suspended him pending an investigation into allegations of associating with a murder suspect .

In an interview with eNCA on Saturday, Morero explained that Kunenes resignation means the city cannot pursue an internal inquiry, and the matter should now be handled by the authorities.

Council works differently. He has resigned as a councillor, meaning he is no longer part of the Council. And the Council, therefore, does not have jurisdiction over him in terms of our code of conduct as councillors, said Morero.

However, the Democratic Alliance DA has written to the Mayor demanding a full investigation into Kunenes alleged conduct, despite his resignation.

It is calling for investigations into all contracts and procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency JRA, the contractors and procurement process behind the Lilian Ngoyi Street repairs, and contracts, appointments and procurement processes at the Metropolitan Trading Company MTC.

The DAs Johannesburg Caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku , maintains that Kunene had direct oversight of these processes and projects.

Should the Executive Mayor fail to respond to the DA within seven days, the DA will use all avenues at our disposal, including approaching law enforcement with the information available to us, to hold the Executive Mayor as Shareholder representative himself responsible for the alleged irregularities at JRA and MTC, she said in a statement.

Morero confirmed receiving correspondence from the DA demanding the probe before Kunenes resignation. They know the law. They know the code of conduct of councillors, he added.

Meanwhile, Morero addressed concerns over the delayed Bree Street refurbishment project, which faced challenges during Kunenes tenure as MMC for Transport. The mayor emphasised that the city would continue to prioritise transport-related issues.