Kagiso Michael Lerutla has been appointed as the new city manager for City of Ekurhuleni.

He replaces Dr Imogen Mashazi, who left office on July 31 after reaching the agreed retirement age of 65.
CoE Communications, Marketing and Tourism HOD Phakamile Mbengashe said the recruitment process for the post was conducted in full compliance with the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000) and the Local Government Regulations on the Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers (2014).

“Kagiso Lerutla’s proven leadership, financial expertise and reformist approach position him as the right candidate to steer Ekurhuleni toward sustainable growth and ethical administration.

“A total of 143 applications were received and he emerged as the top-scoring candidates.”

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Lerutla is a chartered accountant with more than 13 years of senior leadership experience in public finance, governance and institutional reform. He holds a master of business administration from Regenesys Business School, a BCom (Honours) in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg, and a BCompt degree from the University of Limpopo.

Before joining the CoE, he served at the Auditor-General of South Africa as assistant audit manager and audit manager, where he gained extensive experience in financial oversight, risk management, and compliance with national treasury frameworks.

Within the CoE he has held several senior roles, including divisional head: governance and compliance, divisional head: supply chain management, group chief financial officer and acting city manager.

During Lerutla’s tenure as group chief financial officer, the city achieved three consecutive clean audits.

“As city manager and accounting officer, Lerutla will provide strategic direction and ensure effective coordination across departments.

“His focus will include reinforcing financial sustainability and compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act, leading institutional turnaround programmes, aligning the city’s strategic goals with the Integrated Development Plan and Growth and Development Strategy 2055 and driving good governance, transparency and accountability across all levels of the administration,” Mbengashe said.

“The city wishes him every success in his new role as city manager, as he leads the administration in advancing good governance, service delivery excellence, and institutional renewal.”

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