PA places trust in 24-year-old Liam Jacobs to fill key Joburg council role

THE PATRIOTIC Alliance (PA) has placed its confidence in 24-year-old Liam Jacobs to take up a key leadership role in the City of Johannesburg, following the resignation of Kenny Kunene.

Jacobs, who joined the PA in June after a brief stint with the Democratic Alliance, has been unveiled as the party’s new proportional representative councillor and is also expected to assume the influential post of Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport.

This announcement was made by PA leader Gayton McKenzie shortly after City Speaker Margaret Arnolds confirmed that she had been awaiting an official update from the party leadership on the replacement of Kunene.

IOL’s Anita Nkonki reported that the handover comes in the wake of Kunene’s resignation from both his councillor post and MMC portfolio after he was placed on suspension amid a pending investigation into his links to a murder suspect.

The outgoing MMC came under scrutiny after being seen at the home of a man arrested in connection with the murder of musician Oupa John “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka.

McKenzie formally introduced Jacobs on social media, stating: “The DP has resigned as a councillor, has also resigned as the MMC. We have decided to appoint a new councillor. The mayor will appoint the MMC; I’ll give the mayor a call.”

Congratulating the young appointee, McKenzie added, “Congratulations, Liam. This is your opportunity to show that you do not just complain and point out mistakes; this is your chance to show people you can lead.”

In his resignation letter to Speaker Arnolds, Kunene asserted his innocence and cited the need to clear his name before continuing in public office.

“I regret to inform you that l am tendering my resignation as a Proportional Representation Councillor for the Patriotic Alliance, effective immediately,” he wrote. “During my time as a Councillor and the MMC for Transport, I believe I have made a significant contribution to building and rebuilding our beautiful city … I am stepping aside from public life, for a period, while my party satisfies itself as to certain allegations that have been raised against me, which are unfounded, but I have nevertheless agreed it would be in the public interest for me to await the clearing of my name before considering a return to public service and duty.”

Kunene also explained his presence at the suspect’s residence, stating that he was there in connection with a journalist from his online publication, Africa Global News.

As the PA looks to move forward, all eyes will be on Jacobs as he steps into a critical role in Johannesburg’s administration.