By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The case against suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla was postponed to July 2 by the Boksburg Regional Court on Tuesday to allow for further consultation and the completion of the charge sheet.
The pair appeared in court after being granted bail of R30,000 each in April on charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
The charges stem from an alleged 2019 scheme in which Lerutla is accused of arranging for another person to impersonate him in court after he failed to appear on a speeding charge.
The state alleges that Mkhwanazi assisted in orchestrating the scheme and that about R400,000 was paid to the alleged impersonator to appear in court posing as Lerutla.
According to the state, the money was allegedly shared between the impersonator and Mkhwanazi.
State prosecutor Nceba Ntelwa said the matter could not proceed because the charge sheet had not yet been finalised.
“We need to have the fully completed charge sheet and then consult. That’s why I was talking about disclosure at first, but then I realised that disclosure has not been completed,” Ntelwa told the court.
A legal representative for one of the accused confirmed that the defence had received disclosure of the docket contents, including information contained on a USB flash drive.
The lawyer also told the court that investigations involving cellphones seized from the accused had been completed and that the devices would be returned before the end of next week.
“There is one further issue that I’m instructed to place on record. The state informs us that investigations regarding those cellphones have been completed and they have undertaken to return them before the end of next week,” the legal representative said.
Ntelwa said the bail conditions of both accused were extended until their next court appearance.
