Affluent Zimbabwean businessman Isaac Chalumbira has filed a R2.5 million defamation lawsuit against Kenny Kunene, deputy president of South Africa’s Patriotic Alliance (PA), following comments made during a live television interview.
The suit, filed at the Johannesburg High Court on 17 January, stems from allegations made by Kunene on Newzroom Afrika in June 2024.
Chalumbira, best known for his work in the financial services industry and his philanthropic endeavours, is a highly respected figure in the business community, renowned for his innovative strategies and ability to identify and capitalise on market opportunities.
His career began in the Zimbabwean banking sector, where he rapidly progressed, establishing a reputation as a talented and ambitious financial professional. He later transitioned to the insurance sector, becoming a pioneer of mobile insurance, a product that significantly broadened access to insurance for low-income earners.
In 2016, he founded Lionshare Holdings, an investment holding company which runs Lionshare microfinance that provides crucial financial services – including savings accounts and loans – to individuals and businesses previously excluded from the formal banking system. His commitment to positive social impact extends to his philanthropic work, particularly his advocacy for education and mentorship of young entrepreneurs.
During the interview, Kunene, referencing his position as the Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for roads and transport, accused Chalumbira of operating an illegal cross-border bus rank at Park Station.
According to court documents, Kunene claimed that Chalumbira’s bus company, Powerhouse, was operating illegally without the necessary permits from the City of Johannesburg.
The legal papers quote Kunene’s statements: “So the Zimbabwean government is telling us in South Africa that the bus rank they recognise is Powerhouse, which is owned by a Zimbabwean; now the City of Johannesburg only recognises a bus rank called Fleet Africa. Those are the buses recognised to accommodate or operate buses from SADC and throughout the continent. …now the Zimbabwean has opened his own bus rank, which is supposed to be a parking, private parking area. He has burned it into a bus operating rank, that is illegal.”
Kunene’s statements further implied a lack of willingness to engage in discussions with Chalumbira, stating: “I am not going to waste my time with negotiations, the law is the law, it’s very clear. The Zimbabwean government was supposed to have interacted with the City of Johannesburg and established which ranks, bus ranks, are recognised as legal. They did not do that, they just took the word of their own citizen who is here in South Africa, making money in South Africa, illegally operating an illegal bus rank.”
Chalumbira’s legal action alleges that Kunene’s comments not only damaged his reputation but also suggested his involvement in organised crime. The claim states: “As a result of the publication of these statements, I had my name and reputation injured and suffered damages amounting to R2.5 million.”
This lawsuit comes amidst other controversies surrounding Kunene. Last week, he faced criticism from various political parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), for comments made on Newzroom Afrika regarding illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West. He reportedly stated that these miners should “die like rats,” a statement made against the backdrop of a large-scale rescue operation following a court order to remove illegal miners from a disused mine.
The operation revealed the extent of illegal mining networks, with rescued miners including significant numbers from Mozambique, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. The South African Police Service reported that Operation Vala Umgodi, launched in August 2023, has since recovered numerous bodies and brought thousands of illegal miners to the surface.
City Press contacted Kunene for comment but received no response prior to publication. The outcome of Chalumbira’s lawsuit will be closely watched, not only for its financial implications but also for its potential impact on public discourse and the responsibilities of public figures making statements on television.
