Ekurhuleni city manager and suspended police chief arrested on fraud charges

Kagiso Lerutla and Julius Mkhwanazi face allegations of arranging a court impersonator in 2019 speeding case.

Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla and suspended metro police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.¹¹¹ Their bail hearing was postponed to Thursday.¹¹¹⁷

Lerutla was arrested on Sunday at OR Tambo International Airport after returning from Cape Town, while Mkhwanazi was arrested at his Gauteng home on Saturday.¹³¹⁰ Both were detained at Midrand police station.³

The arrests stem from a 2019 incident in which Lerutla was charged with speeding and released on R1,000 bail.¹²¹⁴ According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Lerutla's court date coincided with an interview for the position of chief financial officer at Ekurhuleni municipality.¹⁴ Mathe said Lerutla approached Mkhwanazi, and the two allegedly arranged for an impersonator to appear in court in Lerutla's place.¹⁴¹⁷

The impersonator, referred to as Mr X for safety reasons, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to community service, which he performed only once, according to the state.¹⁴¹⁷ Prosecutors allege Lerutla paid both Mkhwanazi and the impersonator R200,000 each.¹⁴ The total payment was R400,000, which Mkhwanazi allegedly split with the impersonator.¹⁷

State prosecutor Advocate Nceba Ntelwa told the court that Mkhwanazi was the receiver of the gratification and Lerutla the giver.¹² The state will oppose bail.¹⁷

Mathe said a whistleblower brought the matter to the attention of the SAPS Madlanga Task Team, which was established following the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption within Ekurhuleni's law enforcement structures.¹³¹⁴ She said the commission has become a platform for uncovering wrongdoing beyond its formal hearings.¹³

Mkhwanazi had recently testified at the commission about his alleged dealings with suspected criminal cartel member Vusimuzi Matlala, including claims he fitted blue lights to Matlala's vehicles.⁴¹¹ Police said the current charges are not connected to that probe.⁴

The City of Ekurhuleni appointed Tsholofelo Koopedi to act as city manager for Monday only.¹⁰ Opposition parties called for Lerutla's suspension.¹¹¹⁵¹⁶ ActionSA announced it would table a motion in council on Tuesday to suspend Lerutla, citing the Municipal Systems Act.¹⁶ The Democratic Alliance urged Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza to act immediately.¹⁵ ActionSA also called for Mkhwanazi's dismissal.⁷¹⁹