As the case against suspended EMPD acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi and city manager Kagiso Lerutla moves to the trial phase, the defence team has requested full disclosure of the merits docket to ensure the accused’s constitutional right to a fair trial is upheld.

The pair returned to the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on May 13, where the matter was postponed to July 9 and transferred to the Regional Court.
The accused, who were arrested last month, remain out on bail and face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

It is alleged that Lerutla, with the assistance of Mkhwanazi, paid R400 000 for an impersonator to appear in court on his behalf in 2019 in connection with a traffic violation. Prosecutors allege that this was done so Lerutla could attend a job interview for the vacant City of Ekurhuleni CFO position.

Lerutla’s defence attorney, Alphy Masenya, said the legal team is awaiting the prosecution’s disclosure of the investigative and evidentiary material gathered against their client, arguing that access to the docket is essential in preparing an adequate defence.

At this stage, the defence said it could not comment on whether the state has a strong or weak case against their client until they have reviewed the contents of the police docket.

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