Court hearing tests public trust in Ekurhuleni officials
Senior Ekurhuleni officials return to court over alleged impersonation scheme
Boksburg Magistrate’s Court is set to host the next hearing on Tuesday, 3 November, in a case testing public trust in the very institutions meant to apply the law evenly. Former Ekurhuleni metro police department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla are expected to appear again, facing allegations that strike at how citizens expect their public servants to behave.
The charges centre on an alleged scheme to have another person impersonate Lerutla during court proceedings. According to the state, the matter traces back to 2019, when Lerutla was arrested for speeding and was due to appear in court. Prosecutors allege that instead of appearing himself, he arranged for someone else to take his place, allowing him to attend a job interview rather than face the proceedings against him.
The state further alleges that Mkhwanazi helped organise the arrangement. Lerutla is said to have paid R400 000 to Mkhwanazi and the alleged impersonator. Both men face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Mkhwanazi also faces a separate firearms charge.
Meanwhile, the case has already shown strain in the justice system itself. The previous appearance, on 29 September, was postponed after the state failed to arrange Mkhwanazi’s transportation from Boksburg Prison to court in time. The court was informed that the transfer request had not been submitted early enough. For members of the public following the matter, that postponement underlined how even administrative shortcomings can slow the path to a resolution.
Both accused were granted bail of R30 000 each. Tuesday’s hearing is set down as a further appearance, with the fraud, corruption and defeating-the-ends-of-justice allegations still to be tested.
The Mail & Guardian reports that further details of the case are available at https://mg.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-11-03-former-empd-deputy-chief-and-ekurhuleni-city-manager-back-in-court-over-alleged-impersonation-scheme/
For residents of Ekurhuleni, the outcome matters beyond the individuals involved. The metro police department and the city manager’s office are public institutions charged with upholding the law and running the city’s administration, and allegations against two men who served at senior levels in those structures touch directly on the fairness and accountability the public expects. Whether Tuesday’s hearing proceeds without further delays, and what evidence emerges about the alleged 2019 arrangement, will shape the next step in that process.
Q&A
Who is expected to appear in court and when?
Former Ekurhuleni metro police department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla are expected to appear at the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 3 November.
What are the allegations against them?
The state alleges that after Lerutla was arrested for speeding in 2019, he arranged for someone else to impersonate him in court so he could attend a job interview, and that Mkhwanazi helped organise the arrangement. Lerutla is said to have paid R400 000 to Mkhwanazi and the alleged impersonator.
What charges do the accused face?
Both men face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Mkhwanazi also faces a separate firearms charge.
Why was the previous hearing postponed?
The appearance on 29 September was postponed because the state failed to arrange Mkhwanazi's transportation from Boksburg Prison to court in time; the transfer request had not been submitted early enough.