Allegations of cheating the court using a fake stand-in, alongside corruption claims, have led to the arrests of Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla and suspended EMPD acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi, raising fresh questions about accountability at the highest levels of the metro.

Police have confirmed that the case against the city boss and top cop stems from allegations of a cover-up intended to shield Lerutla from a criminal matter dating back to March 2019, when he was vying for the metro’s vacant chief financial officer post.

Lerutla was arrested at the airport on the morning of April 19 while returning from Cape Town. His arrest followed that of Mkhwanazi, who was taken into custody at his home the previous day.
Both officials face charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating or obstructing the ends of justice.

The pair made a brief appearance in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court, where their bail application was postponed to April 23.

The postponement follows submissions by both the defence and the state. The state opposed bail, arguing that additional time is required to finalise investigations, including profiling of the accused, before bail proceedings can continue.

Case resurfaces after a tip-off to the task team
Speaking to journalists outside court on April 20, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the case resurfaced after the recently established Madlanga Commission Task Team received a tip-off, prompting an investigation into alleged fraud, corruption and obstruction of justice.

According to Mathe, a witness provided information implicating both Lerutla and Mkhwanazi, leading to their arrest.

Investigators allege that in March 2019, Lerutla, then the acting CFO, was arrested by the EMPD for speeding and detained at a Boksburg police station.

He was released on R1000 bail the same day and instructed to appear in court the following Monday.
He allegedly failed to do so, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Police detail alleged stand-in use in 2019 court case
It is alleged that Lerutla subsequently obtained a sick note and, during that period, enlisted the assistance of Julius Mkhwanazi. They allegedly discussed the arrest and the scheduled court appearance, according to investigations.

Police further allege that Mkhwanazi arranged for another individual, police identified only as “Mr X”, to impersonate Lerutla in court.

“On the Wednesday when Lerutla was meant to appear, Mr X appeared in his place, using the details contained in the charge sheet, including the city manager’s personal information and the charge of speeding,” said Mathe.

According to the investigation, the prosecutor enrolled the matter in a diversion programme, probably under the belief that Mr X was Lerutla. Mr X was required to perform community service, but reportedly attended only one session before abandoning the programme.

“Investigations indicate that Mr X was paid a substantial sum of money, which was allegedly shared between him and Mkhwanazi,” added Mathe.

She noted that, because the matter was before the court, police would not make some of the information public at this time.
State confident of case
The state has indicated confidence in its case against the accused.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said prosecutors believe they have sufficient evidence to proceed.

“We are confident that we have gathered information and evidence that will sustain a prosecution,” he said, noting that the NPA has been part of the task team since its establishment in February.

Mathe clarified that while the case does not appear to be directly linked to evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission, the task team, comprising members of SAPS and the NPA, has broadened its scope.

“The task team is not only focusing on evidence before the commission, but also on other cases involving serious wrongdoing and gross misconduct, particularly within metros and law enforcement agencies,” she said.
Ammunition under scrutiny
Police also confirmed that, at the time of his arrest, Mkhwanazi was found in possession of more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

Authorities are consulting with the EMPD to determine whether Mkhwanazi was authorised to possess the ammunition, particularly given his suspension. The matter remains under investigation.
Call for harsh sentences
Responding to questions about potential sentencing, Kganyago said it would ultimately be up to the court, but indicated that the state would pursue the most severe penalties possible if the accused are convicted.

“This is because the reason why people are punished is not only to punish them but also to send a strong message that the kind of things that they do are punishable, and the public must desist from continuing things like that.

“We have to send that message because people will start believing that if the people in power are doing what they are doing, then they can do it too. Therefore, that is the message that we want to send with the kind of punishment that has to come out.”

The state did not rule out the possibility of further arrests, but stated that, at the moment, the case will proceed with those who have been arrested.

Also Read: 10 Ekurhuleni police officers arrested for alleged theft and corruption