Lerutla stepped aside in April after his arrest over a matter linked to a 2019 speeding offence.
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH
Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla is heading back to work on Monday — but he returns with fraud and corruption charges still hanging over his head after he allegedly paid someone else to appear in court on his behalf.
Lerutla stepped aside in April after his arrest over a matter linked to a 2019 speeding offence.
He is charged alongside suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
Both men, out on R30,000 bail, appeared at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
They are accused of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
It is the state’s case that Lerutla failed to attend a scheduled court appearance for speeding.
Instead, it said, he arranged for a third person to impersonate him in court, allegedly using his details.
It is further alleged that about R200,000 was paid for the arrangement.
Mkhwanazi is accused of helping to facilitate the arrangement, also apparently receiving R200,000.
It emerged in court that electronic devices were seized from Mkhwanazi and Lerutla during their arrest.
The equipment was confiscated as part of the investigation.
Police are believed to have already extracted data from the devices, which could be used in the state’s case against the two officials.
The DA's Brandon Pretorius said Lerutla's return to work was a "crying shame".
"There is a need for consistency," he told IOL.
"It seems as though the ANC and EFF are protecting the city manager.
"We see no reason why the city manager should not be placed on precautionary suspension until investigations have been concluded.
"Among the allegations made is that the city manager allegedly abused his position in the city to make use of other senior officials to assist him with wrongdoing.
"If that does not warrant precautionary suspension, then I do not know what will."
Dino Peters, of the Patriotic Alliance, said: "As per the last council meeting, we are expecting a report by next Thursday regarding the legalities around the matter.
"We note the charges he faces are not related to his work, but we await the report and legal opinion."
The case returns to court in June.
IOL News