Mkhwanazi and Lerutla in court over alleged R400,000 corruption scheme

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, and his co-accused, Ekurhuleni Municipal Manager Kagiso Lerutla, appeared before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, facing charges of corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

Mkhwanazi was arrested at his home on 18 April 2026 while his co-accused Lerutla was nabbed on 19 April 2026 at the OR Tambo International Airport on his way from Cape Town.

Addressing the media outside the court, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said, the charges stem from a 2019 incident in which Lerutla was arrested by EMPD for speeding and later released on bail. After failing to appear in court, a warrant for his arrest was issued. He submitted a medical certificate and allegedly contacted Mkhwanazi for assistance.

It is alleged that Mkhwanazi came with an idea to hire someone, referred to as “Mr X” and was paid to impersonate Lerutla in court while the municipal manager attended a job interview.

The State claims that the impersonator appeared in court under false pretences, using Lerutla’s personal details to complete diversion programme documentation. Prosecutors allege that a payment of approximately R400,000 was made for the scheme, which was shared between the accused and the third party.

The matter only came to light in February 2026, when it was referred to the Madlanga Task Team for investigation.

The pair will spend two more nights in prison as the matter was postponed to 23 April 2026 for formal bail application.