Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla has returned to work following a 30-day voluntary leave of absence after his arrest, but his return may be short-lived as opposition parties vow to fight his reinstatement.
Lerutla, who faces charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice alongside suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, arrived at his office on Monday as the leave period concluded.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been picketing outside the Germiston offices, demanding that the Speaker convene an urgent council meeting to address the matter. The opposition party is calling for Lerutla to be placed on precautionary suspension while his legal battle unfolds.
DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane said the city manager’s case presents unique challenges because he is an accounting officer.
“Ordinarily as the city manager he would be responsible for the suspension of other administrators within the city. But in his case it calls for council to intervene because there isn’t anyone above him through the administration that can suspend him or hold him accountable,” Rasilingwane said.
According to Rasilingwane, the Local Government Disciplinary Regulation for Senior Managers requires the city to call an immediate council meeting to examine the merits of the matter and implement precautionary suspension. The regulation also empowers the mayor to engage legal experts within seven days.
“We realize that since the 19th, the mayor has not done that, which is concerning,” Rasilingwane said. “The city of Ekurhuleni for the longest time has been on the forefront of corruption and all headlines that are bad.”
The DA previously wrote to the Speaker requesting a council meeting, which was rejected. A council meeting held last week saw multiple political parties calling for precautionary suspension.
“We cannot have an accounting officer that is highly compromised for a city such as this one,” Rasilingwane said. “No one should be seen to be above the law.”
If the Speaker does not respond positively, Rasilingwane said the DA will write to MEC for Cogta Jacob Mamabolo to request intervention, failing which they will take the matter to court.
“The city of Ekurhuleni is not for sale — neither for politicians that are powerful nor for officials that are highly connected,” Rasilingwane said.
City officials were seen at the premises preparing to brief reporters, though it remained unconfirmed whether Lerutla had entered the building through one of several entrances. Council is expected to consider a consolidated legal report on the matter on Thursday.
