Kenny Kunene hits back at Vavi after SAFTU files complaint over his comments about illegal miners
Kenny Kunene hits back at Vavi after SAFTU files complaint over his comments about illegal miners! South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has filed a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against Patriotic Alliance deputy leader Kenny Kunene. Vavi accuses Kunene of inciting violence against illegal miners and foreign nationals, following a series of inflammatory comments made by Kunene on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Accusations of Incitement
Vavi’s complaint centers on a controversial post in which Kunene likened illegal miners to rats, suggesting they should be left to die underground. Vavi expressed outrage over Kunene’s statements, arguing that such rhetoric is unbecoming of a public representative. He further criticized Kunene’s conduct, stating:
“Surely this is somebody who belongs where he was recruited from, in prison. Not in the leadership of such an important municipality.”
Vavi has also called for Kunene’s removal from public office, emphasizing that public representatives must adhere to higher standards of conduct.
Kunene Defiant in Response
Kunene was quick to respond to the allegations, dismissing Vavi’s complaint as inconsequential. He accused Vavi of being ineffective in his previous role as the secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
“I don’t care. He can go to that Human Rights Commission and lay a complaint. He has failed the workers of this country dismally when he was a secretary of COSATU. He continues to fail the workers of this country,” Kunene said.
Kunene further stated that he is not intimidated by the multiple complaints lodged against him.
“I will not back down from echoing the manifesto of the Patriotic Alliance that we’ll bring the death penalty,” he added.
Past Allegations and Hate Speech Conviction
Kunene’s remarks are not the first to land him in legal trouble. In 2022, the Johannesburg High Court found Kunene guilty of hate speech for calling Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema a “cockroach” and a “little frog.”
This history of inflammatory comments has prompted further scrutiny of Kunene’s conduct. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and SAFTU have both submitted requests to the SAHRC, urging an investigation into Kunene’s recent comments to determine if they violate the country’s constitution.
Vavi’s Stand Against Inflammatory Rhetoric
Vavi remains resolute in his stance that Kunene’s comments are not only unacceptable but dangerous. Speaking on behalf of SAFTU, Vavi warned against the normalization of hateful speech in South Africa’s political discourse:
“We are not a banana republic where anybody can say anything they wish based on the prejudices they have against any group – even if that group is here illegally.”
Vavi also stressed the potential consequences of such rhetoric, suggesting that unchecked statements by public figures can lead to violence and societal unrest.
Broader Implications and Public Reactions
Kunene’s comments and Vavi’s subsequent complaint have reignited a broader debate in South Africa about freedom of speech, hate speech, and the responsibilities of public representatives. Public figures across political parties have weighed in, with some calling for stricter consequences for politicians who make inflammatory remarks.
On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some users have defended Kunene’s right to free speech, while others have echoed Vavi’s concerns and condemned the remarks as xenophobic and inciting violence.
SAHRC Investigation Pending
As the SAHRC considers the complaints lodged by SAFTU and the EFF, Kunene’s conduct will likely remain in the spotlight. If found guilty of violating constitutional rights or inciting violence, Kunene could face significant legal repercussions, including potential disqualification from serving in public office.
The outcome of the SAHRC investigation may set a critical precedent for how inflammatory rhetoric by public representatives is addressed in South Africa’s political landscape. Until then, the debate surrounding Kunene’s comments and Vavi’s complaint continues to intensify.
