/ 26 August 2013

Kenny Kunene has, in fact, quit the EFF

Kunene has traded his ZAR night clubs and sushi-clad women for a red beret and a revolution.
Kunene has traded his ZAR night clubs and sushi-clad women for a red beret and a revolution.

Businessman Kenny Kunene has resigned as a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the party said on Monday.

"The central command team found him a great person to work with, and so did many in the rank and file," said spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. "We were particularly impressed by his charisma, fearlessness and wisdom to dissect complex challenges."

The party on Wednesday denied reports that Kunene had resigned.

"Kunene has not left the party … he has asked to be relieved of his leadership responsibilities," Ndlozi said at the time. Kunene was said to have quit as EFF head of campaigns, mobilisation and special projects.

Ndlozi said on Monday that the EFF would welcome working with Kunene in future. "We wish him well with his future endeavours, particularly with the immediate challenge he has accepted in lending a hand in the resolution of the Cape Town gang wars," he said.

"We are, above all, pleased that he remains committed in making this country work, particularly in the spirit of radical economic justice espoused in the policies of the EFF, which he helped consolidate."

Kunene said in July that he was going into politics full-time as a member of the EFF, led by expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema.

Kunene wrote a scathing open letter to President Jacob Zuma before joining the EFF, criticising his leadership. – Sapa