Lawyers representing Ekurhuleni municipal manager Kagiso Lerutla are contemplating an application under Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act to have the case against him struck off the roll. This development follows significant delays in the matter, including the outstanding outcome of representations made in September to the National Prosecuting Authority. Lerutla and former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy police chief Julius Mkhwanazi face charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
Lerutla and Mkhwanazi are accused of colluding in a 2019 scheme to have a third party impersonate Lerutla in court after he was arrested for speeding, in exchange for a R400,000 payment. The pair appeared in the Boksburg Magistrates Court on 20 April 2026, with Mkhwanazi being absent at their last appearance due to a request for him to be brought to court being submitted late to the Correctional Services. Mkhwanazi was arrested at his home on 18 April, while Lerutla was arrested the following day at OR Tambo International Airport after returning from Cape Town.
Both accused were granted R30,000 bail and Mkhwanazi also faces a separate firearms charge. The case has been postponed to November, with Lerutla's lawyers awaiting information from the State. The delays in the matter have prompted Lerutla's lawyers to consider an application to have the case struck off the roll. This move is being considered in light of the outstanding outcome of representations made to the National Prosecuting Authority.
The Ekurhuleni municipal manager and Mkhwanazi are set to appear in court again. Their case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the charges against them. Lerutla is the current municipal manager of Ekurhuleni, while Mkhwanazi is a former deputy police chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.
The case against Lerutla and Mkhwanazi involves allegations of a scheme to impersonate Lerutla in court. The impersonation was allegedly done to avoid Lerutla facing the consequences of his actions. The two accused are said to have colluded to have a third party impersonate Lerutla in court, after he was arrested for speeding.
Lerutla's lawyers are seeking to have the charges against him withdrawn. The application under Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act would result in the case being struck off the roll if successful. This would mean that the charges against Lerutla would be dropped, and he would no longer face trial.
The developments in the case against Lerutla and Mkhwanazi highlight the complexities and challenges in prosecuting high-profile cases. The delays and setbacks in the matter have significant implications for the accused and the prosecution. The outcome of Lerutla's lawyers' application to have the case struck off the roll remains to be seen.
Key points
- Lawyers for Kagiso Lerutla consider application to strike off fraud case due to delays
- Lerutla and Mkhwanazi face charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice
- The case involves allegations of a scheme to impersonate Lerutla in court to avoid consequences of his actions
