Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni Municipal Manager Kagiso Lerutla appeared briefly in the Boksburg Regional Court on Monday, where their fraud and corruption case was postponed as pre-trial proceedings continue.
The pair face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice arising from allegations that they orchestrated a scheme to have another person impersonate Lerutla during a court appearance linked to a speeding offence.
Monday’s appearance was expected to deal with amended charge sheets and other pre-trial matters before the case proceeds further. The postponement follows an earlier court appearance on 2 July, when the matter was also delayed to allow the State and defence to finalise outstanding issues.
According to the State, Lerutla was scheduled to appear in court in 2019 on a speeding charge, but allegedly failed to attend because he was attending a job interview. Prosecutors allege that Mkhwanazi and Lerutla arranged for a third party to impersonate Lerutla in court and allegedly paid about R400,000 to facilitate the scheme.
Both accused are out on R30,000 bail.
The case has attracted significant public attention because both men occupy, or occupied, senior positions within the City of Ekurhuleni. Mkhwanazi has been suspended from his position as EMPD Deputy Chief, while Lerutla has continued to face growing scrutiny over the allegations.
The matter is separate from the corruption allegations that have emerged before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
Last week, Mkhwanazi was among four current and former Ekurhuleni officials arrested by the Commission Recommendations Task Team in connection with a separate investigation stemming from recommendations made by the Madlanga Commission.
Evidence presented before the commission has also linked Mkhwanazi to alleged dealings with controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Witnesses testified about alleged payments and unlawful favours, including claims that vehicles linked to Matlala and Medicare24 chief executive Mike van Wyk were fitted with police blue lights through fraudulent arrangements. Mkhwanazi has denied wrongdoing.
The commission has also heard allegations concerning irregular promotions within the EMPD and claims of misconduct involving specialised police units. Those allegations are separate from the criminal proceedings currently before the Boksburg Regional Court and have not yet been tested in court.
Mkhwanazi has repeatedly denied allegations of criminal conduct during his appearances before the commission and through his legal representatives.
The impersonation case remains one of the first criminal matters arising from allegations involving senior Ekurhuleni officials.
The State is expected to continue preparing the matter for trial once outstanding pre-trial issues, including the amended charge sheet and disclosure of evidence, have been finalised.
