New era for Ekurhuleni as Lerutla takes helm as city manager
Following a merit-based selection process, Kagiso Lerutla has been appointed as the City of Ekurhuleni’s new city manager, bringing years of senior leadership experience to the role.
The City of Ekurhuleni has appointed Kagiso Michael Lerutla as the new city manager. According to the CoE, this follows a transparent, merit-based, and legally compliant selection process approved by the city council during its ordinary meeting held on October 30.
In a statement, the city expressed that this appointment marks a renewed chapter in the city’s journey toward good governance, institutional stability, and service delivery excellence.
“Lerutla’s proven leadership, financial expertise, and reformist approach position him as the right candidate to steer Ekurhuleni toward sustainable growth and ethical administration,” the statement reads.
The recruitment process for the city manager position 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).
A total of 143 applications were received. Following rigorous shortlisting, interviews, psychometric assessments, and background checks, Lerutla emerged as the top-scoring candidate, demonstrating exceptional competence across all areas of leadership, governance, and strategic management.
All verification and vetting procedures, were successfully completed with no adverse findings. 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 (MBA) 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 city, Lerutla 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 (GCFO), and acting city manager.
During his tenure as GCFO, the city achieved three consecutive clean audits, setting a benchmark for accountability and financial discipline in local government.
His leadership was instrumental in strengthening audit processes, modernising supply chain systems, and improving fiscal transparency.
As city manager and accounting officer, Lerutla will provide strategic direction and ensure effective coordination across the city’s departments.
His focus will include reinforcing financial sustainability and compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), leading institutional turnaround programmes, aligning the city’s strategic goals with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Growth and Development Strategy 2055 (GDS 2055), and driving good governance, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the administration.
The CoE extends its warmest congratulations to Lerutla and wishes him every success in his new role, as he leads the administration in advancing good governance, service delivery excellence, and institutional renewal.
