Kenny Kunene Sparks Outrage Over Comments On Illegal Miners’ Deaths: “Must Die Underground Like Rats”

Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene has come under fire for his controversial remarks regarding undocumented foreign nationals who died during illegal mining operations in Stilfontein, North West. Kunene stated that he has “no sympathy” for those involved, describing their actions as theft of South Africa’s mineral wealth.

“I have no sympathy for those who have died stealing the wealth of our country. They have committed a crime by entering this country illegally,” Kunene said during a panel discussion on Newzroom Afrika Thursday night.

Linking Illegal Mining to Broader Crime

Kunene linked illegal mining activities to other forms of criminal behaviour, including gender-based violence. He referred to past incidents, such as the West Rand case where zama zamas (illegal miners) were implicated in the gang rape of women. “These are criminals,” he said, adding, “They must die like rats underground there, all of them. They must burn in hell.”

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Kunene, who also serves as Johannesburg’s MMC for transport, argued that illegal miners and those profiting from illicit gold undermine South Africa’s economy and sovereignty.

“A sober country, with sober leadership, would treat this matter as treason,” he said. “Yet here, we are told to sympathise with criminals collapsing our economy. Those arrested in Stilfontein should be charged with treason, serve 40 or 50 years in prison, and then be deported.”

Kunene also criticised the government’s handling of illegal mining, stating that stolen resources could have funded vital social services such as free education and better pensions for senior citizens.

Kunene Faces Backlash

Kunene’s remarks have drawn widespread criticism, with some accusing him of being inflammatory and irresponsible.

Fanon Moema, spokesperson for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West, condemned Kunene’s comments, saying, “Crime is crime, irrespective of nationality. It is careless to attribute illicit mining solely to foreign nationals when South Africans are also involved.”

Moema highlighted the role of organised crime syndicates, which include individuals of various nationalities, in perpetuating illegal mining. He also pointed out that South Africans supply goods to miners underground, sustaining the illicit operations.

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“You cannot just limit this to nationality or citizenship. We must deal with this matter as an issue of syndicates,” Moema said. He added that some of the illegal miners are trafficked into South Africa, including teenagers forced into dangerous conditions.

Illegal mining has long been a contentious issue in South Africa, often framed as a clash between economic desperation and national security. The Stilfontein tragedy has reignited debates about how the government should address the root causes of illicit mining while ensuring that responses remain humane and effective.

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