Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla have been granted bail of R30,000 each.

The ruling was handed down in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court, where the pair face charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.

The case stems from a 2019 matter allegedly committed by Lerutla, in which prosecutors claim the two arranged for another individual to impersonate him in court in exchange for R400,000.

The State had opposed bail, arguing that the accused might interfere with witnesses.

The matter will continue as the accused prepares to face trial.

The legal team representing Lerutla on Tuesday insisted their client was a strong candidate for bail, posed no flight risk, and had presented compelling reasons for release on bail.

The two officials have been in custody since their arrests. They spent the long weekend behind bars after judgment was reserved last week.

“We have the strong view that indeed he is a good candidate for bail. It doesn’t get better than this one,” the defence said outside court before proceedings started.

ALSO READ: In Pictures: EFF Freedom Day Commemoration

Lerutla, who earns over R200,000 per month, is the sole breadwinner for his family, according to an affidavit in which he argued for bail following his arrest.

His attorney argued that justice would best be served by granting bail, considering Lerutla’s high-profile position.

The charges stem from two major incidents. Prosecutors allege that after being arrested for speeding in March 2019, Lerutla failed to appear in court.

Instead, he and Mkhwanazi allegedly arranged for an associate to impersonate Lerutla in court. It is alleged that Lerutla paid R400,000 in cash, split between the impersonator and Mkhwanazi.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa condemns corruption, xenophobia in Freedom Day address

The state further alleges that Lerutla was involved in a fatal collision on the N12 highway in May 2021 while driving a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. At the scene, he allegedly offered a tow-truck driver R10,000 to remove the deceased victim’s body before authorities arrived.

The original police docket for the case later went missing from SAPS storage.

Despite the allegations, Lerutla has built a reputation as a rising figure in municipal governance. A Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) with over 13 years of experience in public finance.

He joined the City of Ekurhuleni in 2014 and became Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) in 2019.

Under his leadership, the city achieved three consecutive clean audits from the Auditor-General.

INSIDE POLITICS