The DA in Ekurhuleni has reiterated its call for the city’s embattled city manager, Kagiso Lerutla, to be placed on immediate precautionary suspension pending the outcome of his criminal case in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.

Lerutla and suspended EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi briefly appeared in the Boksburg Regional Court on July 2, where the matter was postponed to July 13 to allow for amended charge sheets and pre-trial preparations.

The accused face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice after allegedly paying a third party R400 000 to impersonate Lerutla during a court appearance on a speeding charge in March 2019.

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They were arrested in April and later released on R30 000 bail each following extensive arguments by the State and the defence.

While Mkhwanazi remains suspended, Lerutla returned to work after being granted bail, a decision that drew strong criticism from opposition parties in the Ekurhuleni council.

“While his co-accused remains suspended, Lerutla continues to occupy the highest administrative office in the city while his trustworthiness has been undermined. This is completely unacceptable,” said the DA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, MPL.

“Allowing a city manager facing such serious criminal charges to remain in office erodes public confidence, weakens accountability and raises legitimate concerns about the integrity of the city’s administration.

“The continued failure by the ANC-led administration to act decisively sends the wrong message to residents who expect ethical leadership and transparent governance.”

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Rasilingwane said the DA had formally written to Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, in June 2026, calling for urgent intervention in terms of Sections 105 and 106 of the Municipal Systems Act.

“More than a month later, residents are still waiting for decisive action while a city manager facing serious criminal charges remains in office. We therefore renew our call for immediate intervention and accountability. The people of Ekurhuleni deserve an honest, capable and accountable government,” she said.

The City of Ekurhuleni had not responded to questions from this publication by the time of publication.

However, speaking to the media outside court, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe said Lerutla’s return to work had been considered by council, which resolved that the city manager should continue performing his duties while attending court proceedings as required.

Mbengashe said Lerutla’s court appearances had not negatively affected his ability to perform his duties and added that council would continue monitoring the legal proceedings and any developments arising from the case.