Kenny Kunene ‘has something to prove’

Kenny Kunene has abandoned plans to shoot porn films. File photo by Sandile Makhoba.

Kenny Kunene has abandoned plans to shoot porn films. File photo by Sandile Makhoba.

Published Jun 27, 2013

Share

Johannesburg - Sushi King Kenny Kunene is an aspirant politician who is attacking President Jacob Zuma in a bid to dispel the perception that he is a bling socialite with nothing meaningful to contribute, says a political analyst.

Professor Lesiba Teffo also warns that Kunene’s use of language that is not “measured, civilised and considered” may cost his perceived political home, Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters, the support of potential voters.

He says that while the law provides for the ANC to sue Kunene for defamation and slander, the burden of proof would be more stringent for the ruling party than it normally is for aggrieved individuals.

Talk of a lawsuit comes after ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe hinted he or the party might sue Kunene for disparaging remarks about him and Zuma.

The Star reported on Wednesday that Kunene reiterated his claims that Zuma was a “disloyal tyrant” and a “monster” who ruthlessly pursued his enemies despite his broad smiles in public.

Kunene added he expected to be targeted by Zuma and the ANC.

Kunene said the ANC leader’s “long tail” had to be chopped off before he became an anaconda, choking the country to death.

An incensed Mantashe dismissed Kunene as a “mischievous” agent and as controversial former ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu’s “loudhailer”.

An equally peeved ANC national spokesman, Jackson Mthembu, labelled Kunene a questionable character intent on destroying the party.

Teffo says Kunene, famous for enjoying the fine things in life - including parties where patrons eat sushi off models’ bodies - clearly has political motives.

“He is an aspirant politician and is now playing politics to launch himself to the public consciousness in order to dispel the perception that he’s only a socialite who can’t contribute anything meaningful to the development of the nation.”

Teffo adds that while there is nothing wrong with Kunene’s political ambitions, his choice of language may alienate potential voters of his envisaged party.

“What Kenny needs to be mindful of is that if he really needs to be taken seriously, he must use measured, civilised and considered language.

“Norms of engagement should say to him there is a certain language I am not going to use, irrespective of how I may dislike a person.”

Kunene on Wednesday failed to respond to calls and a text message for comment. A woman who identified herself only as “Lizel” answered the ZAR nightclub owner’s cellphone, said Kunene was not available and promised to get him to return the call.

 

The ANC descended on Kunene after he had criticised Zuma and claimed Mantashe also criticised the president in private while acting as his supporter in public.

The Star

Related Topics: