Kunene Criticizes Johannesburg’s Infrastructure, Blames Corruption and Illegal Immigration
Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Kenny Kunene, has dismissed claims that Cape Town’s roads are superior to those in Johannesburg, stating that such beliefs are a result of “indoctrination.” His comments came in response to questions from Podcast and Chill co-host MacG regarding the poor state of Johannesburg’s infrastructure.
Response to Infrastructure Concerns
MacG questioned why Johannesburg appears dilapidated compared to Cape Town, describing Johannesburg as “like a dumping site” upon arrival. Kunene sharply refuted this perception, asserting that comparable road conditions exist in both cities. However, when challenged to compare the inner cities specifically, Kunene attributed the issues to corruption and illegal immigration.
Addressing the Root Causes
Kunene argued that addressing the problems requires a comprehensive approach. This includes the eviction of individuals and illegal structures, the return of hijacked buildings to their rightful owners, and partnerships between the government and the private sector for building renovations. He emphasized the need to remove “criminals and criminal syndicates” to effectively clean up the inner city.
Corruption and Property Law
Kunene highlighted the challenges posed by corruption and existing property laws, which he claims hinder the eviction of criminals and the recovery of hijacked buildings. He stated, “You need to fix the system. You need to fix the road. You need to clean the buildings, and you’ll clean the inner city. Unless you do that, my brother, I will fix the roads in the inner city, and they will be rotten tomorrow because the people who are there don’t care.”
City of Johannesburg’s Efforts and Setbacks
The City of Johannesburg launched a High-Impact Service Delivery Programme aimed at cleaning the inner city, enforcing by-laws, reclaiming hijacked buildings, and improving infrastructure. This initiative was initially implemented ahead of the 2023 G20 Leaders’ Summit, but faced criticism for being perceived as a temporary cleanup for the event. Despite assurances to the contrary, Mayor Dada Morero later acknowledged a regression in the city’s cleanliness following the summit, admitting that “officials have dropped the ball.”
Presidential Intervention and Ongoing Challenges
A Presidential Johannesburg Working Group was established in March 2025 to focus on governance, financial sustainability, service delivery, and urban security. However, President Ramaphosa recently expressed dissatisfaction with the progress, stating that it has been “slower-than-expected.” He urged local ANC leaders to prioritize governance ahead of the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing the need for visible improvements for citizens. Ramaphosa stated, “The progress we produce must be seen and felt by South Africans. There is a gap, and we need to do more.”
Source: The Citizen