Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene has firmly rejected calls for an apology from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema in an escalating defamation dispute.
In a statement, Kunene announced on Thursday that he has submitted his answering affidavit, bolstered by statements from key witnesses, emphasising his determination to battle it out in court.
The legal tussle originated from Kunene’s comments during a February 2026 episode of Podcast and Chill with MacG. Malema alleges that Kunene defamed him by referring to him as “a boy,” a term he asserts carries significant racist undertones within the South African context.
Furthermore, Malema takes issue with Kunene’s claims about him leaving businessman Adriano Mazzotti’s “backroom” at night to meet the late taxi boss, Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi, a member and leader of the so-called ‘Big Five’ cartel.
In his affidavit, Kunene highlighted that it is a matter of public record that Malema attended and even spoke at Msibi’s funeral, a detail he insists is pertinent in the ongoing legal battle.
“I want to put it on record that I have no intention of apologising to Mr Malema. I will defend myself in court and will present evidence in support of my position,” he said.
Describing Malema’s legal actions as “shameless abuse of our courts,” Kunene pointed out that this lawsuit marks the third such accusation from Malema, whom he accuses of believing he alone possesses the right to freedom of expression.
“I look forward to my day in court,” he added, indicating his readiness to confront the legal battle head-on.
