Ekurhuleni metro police deputy chief and city manager arrested on fraud charges

Julius Mkhwanazi and Kagiso Lerutla were detained over the weekend and appeared in court on Monday facing corruption-related charges.

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and city manager Kagiso Lerutla appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, both facing charges of fraud, corruption and defeating or obstructing the ends of justice¹²³.

Mkhwanazi, 50, was arrested at his Gauteng home on Saturday morning by the South African Police Service's Madlanga task team¹. Lerutla, 40, was arrested on Sunday morning in Johannesburg²³. Both were being held at Midrand police station ahead of their court appearance³.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrests were part of an ongoing investigation into corruption within the Ekurhuleni metro police department¹. "The task team is still searching for other suspects linked to the case," Mathe said¹. She declined to comment further on the merits of the case¹.

Police stated the arrests were not connected to an Independent Police Investigative Directorate probe or evidence before the Madlanga Commission⁴. However, Mkhwanazi's arrest came shortly after he spent several days testifying at the commission about his alleged dealings with suspected criminal cartel member Vusumuzi "Cat" Matlala⁴.

Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said he was learning details through media reports and had not received full information³. "At least with Mkhwanazi we know its relation to Madlanga," Xhakaza said³. "If there is anything that links Kagiso [Lerutla] it has not come up at Madlanga."³

Sources told the publication that the charges against Lerutla and Mkhwanazi were not related to allegations about blue lights provided to Matlala³.

ActionSA called for Mkhwanazi's immediate dismissal from the city⁷⁹. "We see no reason why he shouldn't be prosecuted and most importantly why he shouldn't be dismissed," said party spokesperson Tumelo Tshabalala⁷. The Activists and Citizens Forum also welcomed the arrest, with Dennis Bloem saying it was "long overdue"⁵.