Kenny Kunene vows to make Joburg a no-go zone for illegal immigrants

Patriotic Alliance (PA) mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, Kenny Kunene, says the metro will become a no-go zone for illegal immigrants if he is elected mayor.

Kunene made the remarks as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the local government elections on Wednesday, 4 November.

KENNY KUNENE VOWS TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Addressing party supporters, Kunene said that within 30 days of being elected mayor, he would establish a task team to work alongside Department of Home Affairs officials to identify and deport undocumented foreign nationals.

He said tackling illegal immigration would become a daily priority under his administration.

“We cannot have illegal immigrants being employed by big businesses at the expense of South Africans. So, we are going into Johannesburg to mass deport those who do not have the right papers.

“What I am saying is not a pipe dream. I have already raided houses in Bramley, in Kew, Sandton and in Hillbrow. I have raided flats where we arrested illegal immigrants and handed them over to the police. I have already started doing it, so I’m not talking about a dream,” he said as party supporters cheered.

Kenny Kunene says says that "WHEN" he becomes Mayor the City of Johannesburg the city will be a no go zone for illegal immigrants

"The City of Johannesburg is going to be a no go zone for illegal immigrants unapologetically so"

Kunene further adds that within his first 30 days… pic.twitter.com/wHaHgLm4pF

— NOWinSA (@NowInSA)

October 30, 2026

Ahead of the 2024 general elections, through its leader Gayton McKenzie and his deputy Kenny Kunene, the PA was vocal about its anti-illegal immigration stance, popularising the #Abahambe campaign while advocating for South Africans to be prioritised.

However, the party appeared to tone down this rhetoric after joining the Government of National Unity (GNU). Kunene’s latest remarks suggest that the issue is once again taking centre stage in the party’s election campaign.

“When I am the mayor, I will have more power to drive the programme of getting rid of these criminals. Our buildings are hijacked, our houses are hijacked, even in Soweto houses are being hijacked,” Kunene said.