WATCH: Kenny Kunene closes crèche, says homeless foreigners destroying bridge in Joburg CBD
Acting Joburg mayor Kenny Kunebne with law enforcement agencies inspect homeless encampments near Braamfontein cemetery in Johannesburg, 2 July 2025, located under Joburg's bridges. Acting City of Johannesburg Mayor Kenny Kunene led an operation targeting buildings allegedly occupied by undocumented immigrants. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen
Acting Johannesburg Mayor Kenny Kunene took Operation Kunakisa to the inner city on Wednesday, where he inspected buildings and homeless encampments located under bridges.
Accompanied by members of the mayoral committee, Kunene's inspection is part of the mayor's high-impact service delivery programme, which aims to enhance community services.
'The City [of Johannesburg] acknowledges that tackling homelessness requires coordinated efforts from officials, community organisations and residents. This initiative aims to assess living conditions and identify solutions to address homelessness,' said the city in a statement on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: Kenny Kunene warned me many moons ago, says Ramaphosa on Joburg CBD
Kunene accused the homeless foreigners of destroying some of the bridges in the CBD.
'We went to the bridges today because we heard that the bridge on Smith [street], which has collapsed twice in less than a year, and we went to see the damage that is being caused on the bridges by these illegal foreigners. We also went to the off-ramp of Selby and saw the damage that is being caused. So, it is not only taking jobs from South Africans and hijacking buildings, but they're also destroying the infrastructure of South Africans,' said Kunene.
Kunene on hijacked buildings
He further lamented the hijacked buildings in the CBD, which are reportedly using illegal electricity and water that is not paid for, and consequently costing the city.
'We're not collecting from over 600 buildings, let alone buildings that are owned by private. We're losing a significant amount of revenue in services, rates, and taxes, as well as electricity and water. There are water leakages, but water is also being redirected illegally to these buildings and houses,' said Kunene.
ALSO READ: 'Not very pleasing' – Ramaphosa's tough talk to Gauteng ahead of G20 Summit
'City Power now has a backlog and debt to Eskom, but we can't account for the consumption of electricity because it goes to houses illegally and buildings. We're on this programme this winter to assist City Power so that law-abiding citizens get electricity. Now, people end up not getting electricity because of illegal connections. We're assisting residents in easing and limiting the burden on the power grid by disconnecting these illegal connections.'
He said the City's initiative would ultimately save some jobs for South Africans, as foreigners are hired and paid less than minimum wages, in favour of locals.
'Some of these foreign nationals, or most of these illegal foreign nationals, when they come here, they're being paid slave salaries and being treated like slaves. But at the expense of South Africans getting jobs. So, the exercise that we're doing is part of job creation for South Africans.'
READ NEXT: Kenny Kunene sends Trump a message over SA meeting 'snub'
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Daily Maverick
23 minutes ago
- Daily Maverick
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Daily Maverick
23 minutes ago
- Daily Maverick
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The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
EFF asks Ramaphosa for clarity on new lotto operator and alleged ties to Mashatile
Malema says the EFF reserves the right to pursue legal remedies with regard to the awarding of the National Lottery Licence. EFF leader Julius Malema has demanded clarity from President Cyril Ramaphosa on the awarding of the National Lottery Licence to Sizekhaya Holdings and the company's alleged political ties to Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau awarded the eight-year licence to Sizekhaya in May, handing over the reins from long-term operator Ithuba. Sizekhaya Sizekhaya is part-owned by Bellamont Gaming, a company co-owned and co-directed by Mashatile's sister-in-law Khumo Bogatsu and prominent KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) businessman Moses Tembe. Tembe is also the chair of the consortium, while Sandile Zungu – another prominent KZN businessman – holds directorship. Furthermore, Zungu is a stakeholder in Goldrush, a gambling company that has shares in Sizekhaya. 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ALSO READ: Tau vows to investigate after Mashatile's sister-in-law linked to multi-billion lotto operator licence Malema demands answers from Ramaphosa He proceeded to demand answers to the following questions: Are you aware of the extent of political ties involved in the appointment of Sizekhaya Holdings as the National Lottery operator? If you are aware, do you support the decision made by Minister Tau despite serious procedural irregularities, conflicts of interest, and the defiance of parliamentary oversight? Have you personally engaged Deputy President Mashatile on this matter, and if so, what explanation has he provided regarding the involvement of his immediate family in a multi-billion-rand public contract? In light of the State Capture Commission and your stated anti-corruption stance, what is your position on politically exposed persons and their close relatives benefiting from government contracts or public licences such as this one? Possible legal action Malema said the EFF believes the National Lottery must serve the developmental interests of South Africans, not those of the political elite. 'The level of political entanglement in this deal, compounded by Minister Tau's refusal to be held accountable, undermines the legitimacy of this award and sets a dangerous precedent for future public procurement.' He said his party reserves the right to explore legal options, including approaching the courts to 'compel disclosure of the appointment process and, where necessary, to have these appointments reviewed and set aside on grounds of irrationality, procedural irregularity, or breach of public governance principles'. Mashatile addresses allegations Mashatile has denied suggestions of political interference and argued that Bellamont Gaming was not doing business with the Presidency. He said it was unfair to question why his relatives were conducting business. 'There are so many people who know me in this country – family, children, cousins and friends. Where must they do business, in Zimbabwe? Out of this country,' Mashatile asked during an interview with Sowetan on Tuesday. 'They can do business, as long as I'm not involved, not because they know me. Because once you say Mr Mashatile is capable of influencing, even if he is sitting in his house, it's unfair. You must be able to say he went there to interfere.' ALSO READ: WATCH: Mashatile denies family tied to multibillion-rand lottery deal Bosa requests transparency EFF is not the only party that has expressed concern over the awarding of the licence. In May, Musi Maimane's Bosa called for full transparency from Tau, requesting a list of adjudicators and consultants involved in the lottery tender process. The party also asked for their disclosures and declarations of interest, as well as a report to parliament outlining the evaluation criteria and scoring of each bid. 'South Africans have a right to know whether this process has been conducted above board or whether it is tainted by insider influence or political interference,' the party said in a statement. 'We will not allow South Africa's public resources, or the hopes of the vulnerable communities who depend on lottery funding, to be hijacked by cronyism or corruption.' DA asks Tau to appear before committee The DA also requested Tau and the National Lotteries Commission to appear before the Parliament's trade and industry portfolio committee to answer questions concerning the licence. During the meeting on 24 June, Tau said he would investigate the conflict-of-interest allegations concerning Sizekhaya – much to the DA's dissatisfaction. 'The DA is astounded that Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, came to Parliament today to effectively admit to committee, that he had failed in his executive duties to properly oversee the appointment of the new Lottery Operator Sizekhaya Holdings,' DA MP Toby Chance said in a statement following the minister's appearance. 'It is Tau's duty to ensure that conflicts of interest between the bidders and government are picked up, and his lack of awareness of possible links between Deputy President Paul Mashatile, his family and shareholders in Bellamont Gaming is simply unacceptable.' Watch the meeting here: NOW READ: Ithuba poised to run Lottery for next year — despite legal concerns
