Malema takes legal action against Kenny Kunene over ‘nonsense’ cartel allegations
EFF leader Julius Malema says he is suing Kenny Kunene for defamation after the Patriotic Alliance deputy leader allegedly made claims that he is at the centre of a drug cartel.
Image: Itumeleng English
EFF leader Julius Malema has confirmed he is suing Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene for defamation, labelling Kunene's claims that he is at the centre of a drug cartel as “nonsense.
Speaking at a media conference at the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg, on Thursday, Malema said Kunene’s allegations are false and will be challenged in court.
“Kunene can say whatever nonsense he wants to say, but he must repeat that in court,” Malema said.
“We will ventilate his claims in court. I am not suing him for calling me a ‘boy’; I am suing him for saying I am at the centre of a cartel.”
The dispute follows Kunene’s refusal to apologise, despite calls from Malema, in an escalating defamation battle.
Kunene has confirmed that he has submitted an answering affidavit, supported by statements from key witnesses, and intends to contest the matter in court.
The legal dispute stems from comments Kunene made during a February 2026 episode of Podcast and Chill with MacG.
Malema alleges the remarks were defamatory, including being referred to as “a boy”, which he argues carries racist connotations in the South African context.
Malema also disputes Kunene’s claims that he left businessman Adriano Mazzotti’s property at night to meet the late taxi boss Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi, who was linked to the so-called “Big Five” cartel.
In his affidavit, Kunene said it is a matter of public record that Malema attended and spoke at Msibi’s funeral, which he argues is relevant to the case.
Malema rejected the allegations, saying they have damaged his reputation.
“He is being sued for saying I am at the centre of a cartel, implying that I am part of the ‘Big Five’ drug cartel,” Malema said.
“Now he realises he has spoken nonsense and shifts the issue to something else.”
He also dismissed claims that he paid protection fees to a cartel.
“How do I pay a protection fee to myself if I am the cartel?” he asked.
Malema further denied allegations that he stayed in Mazzotti’s bedroom. He described the claims as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
“I never stayed in Mazzotti’s bedroom,” he said, adding that the property in question consists of separate houses and that the claims are a misrepresentation of the layout.
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