Kunene ordered to apologize to Malema for ‘cockroach’ remark

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has welcomed the Johannesburg High Court’s decision upholding a ruling that Kenny Kunene’s reference to Julius Malema as a “cockroach” amounts to hate speech.

Kunene approached the court for leave to appeal a ruling by the Equality Court, which found that the language used by the suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader, violated the Equality Act.

The controversial remark was made in November 2021 during a televised interview on Y’s sister channel, eNCA.

@Ruraltarain Kenny Kunene is promising to deal with the 🪳… it’s lit. pic.twitter.com/HYAkpY0Eoq

— Malose Marakalala (@CheMalose) November 17, 2021

The court ruled that Kunene’s comment violated Section 10 of the Equality Act.

He has been ordered to issue an unequivocal apology within one month and to cover legal costs.

When asked earlier about the hate speech case, Julius Malema expressed confidence that the court would rule in his favour.

When it rains, it pours and it’s pouring for Kenny 😭

Julius Malema was right here…

Kenny Kunene has lost and is also ordered to apologise to Julius. 🔥🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/M6TYpd2aXP

— m a s h è s h a 💨 (@_mashesha) August 5, 2025

In a statement, the EFF said Kunene, along with Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie, exemplifies the Correctional Services system’s failure to rehabilitate offenders.

“Their inability to distinguish between political discourse and blatant hate speech rooted in historical genocide is yet another reflection of this failure,” the EFF added.

 

Kunene and Malema have had a tumultuous political relationship over the years, particularly after Kunene left the EFF shortly after its formation.

Some social media users have expressed mixed reactions on X (formerly Twitter) to the court’s judgment.

@Kenny_T_Kunene was 💯 #Malema is a real Cockroach 😂😂😂#WithoutFearOrFavour pic.twitter.com/l2htXJpnlt

— Lucky Lucky 💚🤍🖤 (@maphulumpana3) August 5, 2025

When it rains, it pours and it’s pouring for Kenny 😭

Julius Malema was right here…

Kenny Kunene has lost and is also ordered to apologise to Julius. 🔥🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/M6TYpd2aXP

— m a s h è s h a 💨 (@_mashesha) August 5, 2025

I hope Malema’s fans know that the only thing he will win is that useless court case against Kenny Kunene… pic.twitter.com/k45H1Gai0C

— TWAR___SA🇿🇦 (@TwaRSA26) August 5, 2025

“The EFF has always maintained that Kenny Kunene, alongside his political leader are a representation of the failure of the Correctional Services system in South Africa to rehabilitate convicts”

😂😂

— Victor Baatweng 🇧🇼☕️ (@VictorBaatweng) August 5, 2025